The Osun State Police Command has arrested a member of the state House of Assembly, Abiola Ibrahim, alongside about 146 suspected electoral mercenaries found at a residence in Ikire as voting began in Saturday’s governorship election.
The arrests were made on Saturday, August 15, 2026, in Irewole Local Government Area, amid heightened security operations across the state.
Police Confront Lawmaker
A viral video from the scene showed armed police officers questioning Ibrahim, who represents the Irewole/Isokan Constituency on the Accord Party platform.
Ibrahim identified the residence as belonging to his late father, Raji Ibrahim. About 146 people were seen seated inside the compound as officers questioned him about their presence.
When asked about the group, Ibrahim said they were voters for the election. He acknowledged that some were residents of Ikire while others were “indigenes from outside.”
He denied hiring them or promising them anything, saying, “Voting is their choice. I’m not their agent.”
Over 200 PVCs Recovered
The Osun Police Command later confirmed the arrest of Ibrahim and the suspected electoral mercenaries during a joint operation involving security units, including the FBI-IRT.
Police spokesperson Abiodun Ojelabi said more than 200 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) were recovered from the residence.
According to the police, preliminary investigations indicated that some of the suspects were brought into Osun from neighbouring states, including Ondo, for alleged unlawful electoral activities.
Police said Ibrahim reportedly acknowledged facilitating the movement of the group into Osun during questioning.
Suspects Allegedly Recruited for Votes
Investigators were also told that a politician allegedly recruited some of the suspects, arranged voters’ cards and offered financial rewards in exchange for votes.
The identity of the politician has not been publicly established, while police said efforts were ongoing to identify other people connected to the operation.
The allegations remain under investigation and no court has found Ibrahim or any of the arrested individuals guilty of an electoral offence.
33 More Arrested in Ede
Police also reported a separate operation in Ede, where 33 suspected electoral mercenaries were arrested at a hotel.
The group comprised 30 males and three females, with some voters’ cards reportedly recovered. Police linked the suspects to movement from Ondo State.
The arrests come as security agencies maintain heightened operations across Osun during the Osun governorship election 2026, with the Ikire electoral mercenaries arrest and recovery of more than 200 PVCs now under investigation.
