The Osun State Commissioner for Environment and Sanitation, Mayowa Adejoorin, has been released by the state command of the Nigeria Police Force after spending almost 24 hours in detention.
Adejoorin was arrested in Ilesa on Saturday after a shooting during an All Progressives Congress rally in the Isokun area left three people injured.
One of those injured was identified as 14-year-old Tobi Ilesanmi, who was reportedly shot near the scene of the incident.
The shooting has triggered allegations between the APC and the Accord Party, with both sides offering different accounts of how the violence occurred.
Adejoorin was reportedly arrested after police operatives intercepted his vehicle while responding to the shooting. An Amotekun operative was also in the vehicle and was arrested alongside him.
The police said the commissioner was taken to the command headquarters in Osogbo for questioning to establish whether he had any connection with the incident.
The police spokesperson, Abiodun Ojelabi, said three people were injured and that four expended cartridges were recovered from the scene. He added that a pump-action firearm was recovered from the Amotekun operative.
According to Ojelabi, the police had deployed tactical teams, including operatives of the Intelligence Response Team, to different locations in the state ahead of the election.
However, the APC Campaign Council for Ilesa West alleged that armed men emerged from a vehicle during the rally and opened fire, forcing participants to flee.
The Imole Campaign Council, on the other hand, alleged that APC members were responsible for the shooting and accused them of attacking Accord Party property. The allegations could not be independently verified.
Giving an update on Sunday, Ojelabi confirmed Adejoorin’s release but said he could not confirm whether the Amotekun operative arrested with him had also been released.
“The commissioner has been released. He was released today but the Amotekun that was arrested with him, I can’t confirm his release yet because I am still gathering my facts,” he said.
The incident comes amid heightened political activity ahead of the Osun governorship election, with security agencies under pressure to prevent violence and maintain public order during the campaign period.
(The Sun)