Osun State Police Command has arrested the state Commissioner for Environment and Sanitation, Mayowa Adejoorin, in connection with a shooting incident during an All Progressives Congress (APC) rally in Ilesa on Saturday.

The arrest has, however, drawn criticism from the Imole Campaign Council, the campaign organisation of Governor Ademola Adeleke, which accused the police command of bias and alleged that the commissioner was being politically targeted.

The police spokesperson, Abiodun Ojelabi, said Adejoorin was arrested after tactical officers intercepted a white Lexus 350 allegedly linked to the incident.

According to Ojelabi, trouble started when an APC rally was underway in Ilesa and a vehicle with registration number OSHAO4 was parked near the gathering.

He said persons identified as personnel of the state Amotekun Corps allegedly emerged from the vehicle and opened fire sporadically, causing people at the rally to flee.

The police spokesperson said some APC supporters pursued the fleeing men, adding that one of those caught allegedly pulled out a knife and attempted to stab people before escaping.

Ojelabi said the incident was subsequently reported to the police, prompting tactical teams already deployed to various locations in the area to respond.

He said the tactical officers closest to the scene later intercepted a white Lexus 350.

“On intercepting the vehicle, they saw an Amotekun personnel in the vehicle. So they apprehended the vehicle, the personnel and one other person in the vehicle.

"They brought them straight to the headquarters here. On interrogation, it was discovered that the other occupant is Honourable Mayowa Adejoorin,” Ojelabi said.

He added that an Amotekun operative and the other occupant were taken to the command headquarters for questioning.

The police said investigation had commenced to establish Adejoorin’s level of involvement, if any, in the shooting incident.

Reacting to the development, the Imole Campaign Council accused the police command of indiscriminate arrests, intimidation and alleged abduction of Accord Party leaders and supporters across Ijesaland.

The council’s spokesperson, Pelumi Olajengbesi, alleged that Adejoorin was arrested outside Ilesa while travelling to Osogbo.

He further claimed that the commissioner had earlier received a threatening phone call from a federal lawmaker, who allegedly warned him that he would be arrested.

Olajengbesi described the manner of Adejoorin’s arrest as unacceptable, alleging that the commissioner had been targeted for political reasons.

“The manner of his arrest is particularly disturbing. We consider what happened to Hon Adejoorin nothing short of a bandit-line abduction carried out under the cover of police authority,” he said.

The council alleged that there had been a pattern of arrests involving prominent Accord leaders and supporters in Ijesaland, claiming that some had been detained away from their families, communities and campaign activities.

It called on the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, to intervene in the matter and ensure that the Osun State Police Command operates impartially.

Questioning the basis of the commissioner’s arrest, Olajengbesi asked what offence Adejoorin had committed and what evidence linked him to the shooting.

“Why was his arrest carried out in such a manner? And why does the Police appear increasingly willing to deploy its powers only against Accord political leaders at this critical moment in our democratic process?” he asked.

The campaign council demanded Adejoorin’s immediate release, insisting that there was no lawful and credible basis for what it described as his “abduction and detention.”

The council also vowed that the Accord Party would not be intimidated by the arrests.

“The Accord will not be intimidated. You may arrest our leaders. But you cannot arrest the will of the people,” Olajengbesi said.

The police have not indicated that Adejoorin has been charged with any offence, stressing that investigation is ongoing to determine his alleged level of involvement in the Ilesa shooting.