Lai Mohammed, Dare, many APC leaders arrested in Osun

Saturday, August 9, 2014 7:35 am

By Simon Ateba/Osogbo

As night fell in Osun State, many leaders of the All Progressives Congress, APC, were arrested, some by hooded policemen, the latest in a series of clampdown targeting opposition leaders and members ahead of Saturday’s polls in Osun, the party said in a statement.

APC said the Government Reservation Area home of Senator Bayo Salami was invaded by armed soldiers and security agents at midnight, while the Ede country home of the first civilian Governor of Osun State, Alhaji Isiaka Adeleke was not spared of the invasion.

“The entrance gate of Salami’s house was forced open by the hooded security agents who fired sporadically to gain entrance into the sprawling compound to arrest him.

Alhaji Lai Mohammed: arrested

“The National Publicity Secretary of APC, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the State Secretary of APC, Prince Gboyega Famoodun were also arrested at midnight by armed soldiers.

In a statement issued in Osogbo on Friday night, his personal assistant, Mr. Williams Adeleye, said Alhaji Lai Mohammed was arrested along with Mr. Sunday Dare, Media Aide to APC National Leader ,Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Deputy Chief of Staff to Ogun State
Governor, Mr. Salisu.

“They were arrested Gestapo Style by a team of soldiers and DSS agents while they were heading to the Government House, and taken to anunknown destination in an unmarked truck.

“Already, the State Commissioner for Home Affairs, Culture and Tourism, Alhaji Sikiru Adetona Ayedun, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Wale Adedoyin,, the Executive Secretary of Osogbo Local Government, Mr. Isiaka Faramade, the House of Assembly member representing Obokun and Ilesa State Constituencies, Hon. Femi Fafiyebi and Folarin Fafowora have all been arrested by armed soldiers and hooded security agents from their homes on Friday night,” APC said.

The party said APC agents in Ifelodun and Ede South Local Governments have been arrested at the time of distribution of election materials by officials of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) while those of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were excluded.

“The Ede South Local Government chairman of APC, Alhaji Surajudeed Opalola was also arrested by the security agents who were led by the Youth Leader of PDP in the council

Spokesman of the APC, Kunle Oyatomi, in a swift reaction, said the wave of arrests and intimidation would further deepen defeat of the PDP.

“It is a shame this is happening. This is democracy and our people are resolute on electing the leader they can trust,” Oyatomi said.

Update: Latest report said Mohammed and Dare have been released.