The Osun State Police Command has released the state Commissioner for Environment and Sanitation, Mayowa Adejoorin, after he spent nearly 24 hours in police custody.
Adejoorin was reportedly taken into custody following a shooting incident in the Isokun area of Ilesa, Osun State, where three people were injured during a political rally.
The incident occurred on Saturday while members of the All Progressives Congress in Ilesa West Local Government Area were holding a street rally ahead of the forthcoming Osun State governorship election.
One of the injured persons was identified as 14-year-old Tobi Ilesanmi, who was reportedly shot close to the scene of the incident.
Police Explain Why Commissioner Was Arrested
According to the spokesperson for the Osun State Police Command, Abiodun Ojelabi, police tactical officers responding to reports of the shooting intercepted a vehicle in the area.
Ojelabi said the vehicle, described as a white Lexus 350, was found to have an Amotekun operative and another passenger inside. The occupants were taken to the police headquarters in Osogbo for questioning.
The police spokesperson subsequently identified the second occupant as Adejoorin.
He explained that the commissioner was questioned to establish whether he had any connection to the incident.
Police said investigators recovered four spent cartridges at the scene, while a pump-action firearm was reportedly recovered from the Amotekun operative.
Ojelabi stressed that the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting was still ongoing.
Political Parties Trade Allegations
The shooting has generated conflicting accounts from political groups in the state.
Folarin Fafowora, who heads the APC Campaign Council in Ilesa West, alleged that the incident occurred toward the end of the party’s rally.
According to him, confusion broke out after a vehicle reportedly moved through the area and gunshots were heard. He claimed that some people associated with the vehicle opened fire, forcing participants to seek safety.
However, the Imole Campaign Council spokesperson, Pelumi Olajengbesi, gave a different account.
Olajengbesi alleged that some APC members were responsible for the violence and claimed that property belonging to members of the Accord Party was damaged during the incident.
The allegations made by the different political groups have not been independently established.
Police Confirm Commissioner’s Release
Providing an update on Sunday, Ojelabi confirmed that Adejoorin had been released.
“The commissioner has been released. He was released today,” the police spokesperson said.
However, Ojelabi said he could not immediately confirm whether the Amotekun operative who was arrested alongside the commissioner had also been released.
The police have not indicated that Adejoorin has been charged with any offence, and investigations into the shooting remain ongoing.
The incident comes amid heightened political activity in Osun State ahead of the governorship election, with authorities and political stakeholders facing increased pressure to prevent violence and maintain public safety during campaigns and other political activities.