The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State has praised the state Police Command for arresting a suspected political hoodlum, Saheed Oyeyemi Adedeji, describing the action as a positive step towards preventing violence ahead of the forthcoming elections.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the party’s Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi, the APC said the arrest reflected the police command’s professionalism and commitment to curbing what it described as the growing militarisation of the state’s political environment.
Adedeji was reportedly apprehended in Osogbo on Monday after security operatives allegedly recovered military uniforms, pump-action rifles and ammunition from him.
According to reports, the suspect is also accused of shooting three police officers during a violent clash between rival factions of the Nigerian Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Osogbo earlier on Monday.
The APC identified Adedeji as a Personal Assistant to Nurudeen Wakili, the factional chairman of the NURTW in Osun State.
The party further claimed that during interrogation, the suspect allegedly told investigators that the firearms and other items recovered from him belonged to his principal, identified as Nurudeen Alowonle.
While commending the police for what it described as a decisive operation, the APC urged the command to sustain efforts aimed at eliminating criminal elements capable of disrupting peace before the state’s elections.
The opposition party also called for a comprehensive investigation into the matter and demanded that everyone mentioned during the investigation be prosecuted if found culpable, irrespective of political affiliation or status.
In addition, the APC alleged that some officials within Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration were making behind-the-scenes attempts to facilitate the suspect’s release from police custody.
The party maintained that no individual should be allowed to exploit constitutional immunity or political influence to obstruct justice or shield suspected political hoodlums from arrest, investigation and prosecution.
The Osun State Police Command has yet to publicly respond to the APC’s allegations regarding attempts to secure the suspect’s release.
