The Osun State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of Abiola Ibrahim, an Accord Party 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 arrest on Saturday, saying operatives of the Federal Bureau of Investigation-Intelligence Response Team carried out the operation.

Ojelabi said Ibrahim was arrested in Ikire in the early hours of Saturday for allegedly harbouring the suspected mercenaries.

“He was arrested in Ikire for harbouring suspected mercenaries. He was arrested with about 146 people.

“FBI-IRT arrested him. He is in their custody. He was arrested in the early hours of Saturday,” the police spokesman said.

Footage of the interception showed uniformed police officers questioning Ibrahim at the residence about the presence of the individuals.

However, the lawmaker insisted that those gathered were registered voters who had come 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,” he said.