APC, Osun government trade accusations over alleged self-kidnapping case

The alleged self-kidnapping case involving a media aide to Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has triggered a fresh exchange between the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the state government.

 

The APC alleged that the incident was being used to smear the opposition and heighten political tension in the state, while the government said it had no interest in interfering with the police investigation.

 

The controversy followed reports of the arrest of the governor’s media aide, Shakiru Babatunde, by police operatives over an alleged attempt to stage his own abduction.

 

The APC, through its spokesperson, Kola Olabisi, alleged that some government officials initially announced Babatunde’s purported abduction on social media and blamed the opposition before the circumstances surrounding the incident changed.

 

Olabisi further alleged that the aide had confessed while in police custody and claimed that some government officials were subsequently attempting to prevent a full investigation.

 

The party called on the Osun State Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Zungura, to ensure that the investigation was conducted independently and that anyone found culpable faced the law.

 

The APC also alleged that the purported abduction was being presented in a manner capable of generating public sympathy against the opposition and portraying the Federal Government negatively.

 

However, the state government rejected the allegations, saying it was responsible for promptly reporting the purported abduction to the police after receiving a distress message from the aide.

 

In a statement by the Governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, the government said the Chief of Staff, Kazeem Akinleye, directed that an incident report be lodged with the police before the matter was referred to the Anti-Kidnapping Squad.

 

Rasheed maintained that the government had allowed the investigation to proceed without interference.

 

He also dismissed allegations that government officials attempted to frustrate the investigation or bribe police officers, describing the claims as unfounded.

 

The government said it would await the outcome of the police investigation before taking further action, stressing that no government official would be allowed to obstruct law enforcement agencies in the discharge of their duties.