The Osun State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of Abiola Ibrahim, an Accord lawmaker representing Irewole/Isokan State Constituency in the Osun State House of Assembly, alongside 146 suspected mercenaries.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, confirmed the arrests on Saturday, saying operatives of the Federal Bureau of Investigation-Intelligence Response Team (FBI-IRT) apprehended the lawmaker in the early hours of the day in Ikire.

According to Ojelabi, Ibrahim was arrested for allegedly harbouring the suspected mercenaries, who were also taken into custody. “He is in their custody. He was arrested in the early hours of Saturday,” the police spokesman said.

Footage of the operation showed police officers questioning Ibrahim at his residence about the presence of the individuals. In response, the lawmaker said those at the residence were registered voters who had gathered to participate in the election.

“They are voters for the election happening today. 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,” Ibrahim said.

The police have not disclosed further details on the identities of the 146 suspects or the specific allegations against them.