Police operatives from the Federal Bureau of Investigation-Intelligence Response Team have arrested the lawmaker representing Irewole/Isokan State Constituency in the Osun State House of Assembly, Abiola Ibrahim, in Ikire over allegations of harbouring about 146 suspected mercenaries.

The arrest occurred in the early hours of Saturday as the state conducted its governorship election.

The Osun State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, confirmed the arrest during a telephone interview.

Ojelabi said Ibrahim was arrested in Ikire alongside about 146 people suspected to have been brought into the area as mercenaries.

Police arrest lawmaker, 146 others

According to the police spokesman, operatives of the FBI-IRT arrested Ibrahim at a private residence where the large group of people was found.

“He was arrested in Ikire for harbouring suspected mercenaries. He was arrested with about 146 people,” Ojelabi said.

The police spokesman added that Ibrahim remained in the custody of the security operatives following the arrest.

“FBI-IRT arrested him. He is in their custody. He was arrested in the early hours of Saturday,” he said.

The development occurred as voters across Osun State gathered at polling units to participate in the governorship election.

Lawmaker says those arrested are voters

Footage from the scene showed uniformed police officers questioning Ibrahim about the presence of the large number of people at the private residence.

During the interrogation, the lawmaker maintained that the individuals were registered voters who had gathered to participate in the election.

“They are voters for the election happening today,” Ibrahim stated in the video.

He further denied hiring or promising anything to the individuals and said their decision to vote was entirely voluntary.

“Some of them are, some of them are indigenes from outside. I did not hire them. I did not promise anything. Voting is their choice. I’m not their agent,” he said.

Ibrahim also identified himself as a member of the Accord Party.

Arrest raises concerns amid Osun election

The arrest has attracted attention as security agencies intensify monitoring of political activities across Osun during the governorship election.

The presence of more than 100 people at a private residence on election day prompted police intervention and subsequent arrest of the lawmaker.

While the police described the individuals as suspected mercenaries, Ibrahim maintained that they were voters who had gathered to participate in the election.

It was not immediately clear what further action the police would take against the lawmaker and the other individuals arrested.

The incident comes amid heightened security arrangements across the state as authorities seek to prevent violence, voter intimidation and other forms of electoral malpractice during the exercise.

The governorship election is being conducted across Osun State, with voters expected to elect the governor who will lead the state for the next four years.