By Shina Abubakar, Osogbo
The Osun State Police Command has arrested three suspected political thugs over an alleged attempt to assassinate the Director-General of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Campaign Council, Hon. Wole Oke.
The suspects — Olamilekan Oriyomi, 24, Ayotunde Ikupolati, 44, and Femi Fakinleye, 31 — were arrested on Tuesday, June 30, during Oke’s visit to the palace of the Ajalaye of Ipetu-Ijesa, Oba (Dr) Agunbiade Oke.
Parading the suspects on Thursday, the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, said the arrests were part of the command’s ongoing efforts to combat cultism, political thuggery and other violent crimes threatening peace and security in the state.
Represented by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, the commissioner said the suspects were apprehended through intelligence-led operations.
According to him, shortly after the meeting at the palace, a group of individuals suspected to be political thugs and members of the Eiye Confraternity, allegedly led by Oriyomi, blocked the exit route of Oke’s entourage.
He alleged that Oriyomi brought out an English Beretta pistol loaded with four rounds of live ammunition and was about to point it at Oke before he was overpowered by the Divisional Police Officer at the scene.
“Shortly after the meeting, a group of individuals suspected to be members of political thugs/Eiye Confraternity, allegedly led by Oriyomi, obstructed the exit route of the visiting entourage and he brought out an English Beretta pistol loaded with four live ammunition, about to point at the Honourable but was promptly spotted and subdued by the DPO, an action which escalated the situation and caused panic among persons present,” the police said.
The commissioner said the swift intervention of police operatives led to Oriyomi’s arrest and the recovery of the firearm and ammunition, while other suspects initially escaped.
He disclosed that Ikupolati and Fakinleye were later arrested, adding that one Busuyi Akinwole, whom Oriyomi allegedly confessed supplied the firearm, remains at large.
Gotan further stated that statements obtained from the suspects had implicated other influential individuals who are currently under investigation, while efforts were ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects.
However, speaking to journalists while being paraded, Oriyomi denied attempting to kill Oke.
The suspect, who described himself as a disc jockey and admitted being a member of the Eiye Confraternity, claimed he was invited to the venue by his group leader.
“I am a disc jockey and a member of Eiye Confraternity. I did not make any attempt to kill Hon. Oke. I was called by my capo to the venue. When I got there, I was not going to kill anyone. I was there to secure the place. I was even going to Ado-Ekiti when I was called back by the capo,” he said.
