The Osun State Police Command has arrested three suspects over an alleged assassination plot targeting the Director-General of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship Campaign Council, Hon. Oluwole Oke, in what authorities described as a major security breakthrough ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
The suspects, identified by the police as Olamilekan Oriyomi (24), Ayotunde Ikupolati (44), and Femi Fakinleye (31), were arrested following an intelligence-led operation by the command. The arrests were announced by the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, during a parade of suspects at the command headquarters in Osogbo.
According to the police, the incident occurred on June 30, shortly after Hon. Oke and other APC members paid a courtesy visit to the Ajalaye of Ipetu-Ijesa and later attended a meeting with party supporters at the town hall.
Police alleged that a group of suspected political thugs and members of the Eiye Confraternity blocked the exit route of Oke’s convoy. The command further alleged that one of the suspects, Olamilekan Oriyomi, pulled out an English-made Beretta pistol loaded with four rounds of live ammunition and was about to point it at Oke before the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) at the scene intervened and overpowered him. A firearm and ammunition were recovered during the operation.
The Commissioner of Police said follow-up investigations led to the arrest of the two other suspects, while another suspect identified as Busuyi Akinwole, who was allegedly linked to the firearm, remains at large. He added that the investigation has also implicated other individuals, whose identities have not yet been disclosed, and efforts are ongoing to apprehend them.
However, while being paraded by the police, Olamilekan Oriyomi denied the allegation that he attempted to assassinate Hon. Oke. He admitted being a member of the Eiye Confraternity but claimed he was invited to the venue by his group leader and was not there to harm anyone.
The Osun State Police Command reiterated its commitment to tackling political violence, cultism, and other criminal activities ahead of the governorship election. The command urged residents to remain peaceful and continue providing useful information that could assist security agencies in maintaining law and order across the state.
