Police justify arrest of Kwara Senator Rafiu Ibrahim. | Nairalaw

* Arrest eight persons in connection with
shootings

Kwara state police command on Friday justified the arrest of a
Senator representing Kwara south senatorial district, Dr Rafiu
Ibrahim.

The command added that the senator, who doubles as the
senatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in
tomorrow’s election, was arrested in connection with the bloody
shooting on Tuesday in Ojoku, Oyun local government area of the
state.

Addressing reporters in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital in
preparation for the presidential and National Assembly election,
Police Commissioner Kayode Egbetokun said that the shooting
incident led to loss of one life.

He added that in the process six persons were also injured and
they are still in the hospital.

Representatives of army, air force, civil defence corps were in
attendance at the joint press briefing.

He said the Air Force Helicopter have been hovering around the
state capital to ensure air surveillance.

“You have been seeing the Air Force Helicopter moving around. It
is in the air for area surveillance it is for your protection.
There is no need for any panic,” he said.

On the arrest of the Senator, he said: “It is true that we have
a senator in our custody and his arrest was made in connection with
the incident at Ojoku on Tuesday 19th of this month.

“Don’t forget, a life was lost to that incident. That cannot
happen and we just fold our arms.

“Let me again reiterate our resolve to be fair to all. And I am
assuring that no innocent person will be arrested and if in the
event that any innocent person is arrested the person will be
released immediately.”

He added: “We are however, jolted by two incidents that happened
in the last few days. On Tuesday 19th of this month at the palace
of Olojoku of Ojoku an ugly incident occurred.

“One of the senatorial candidates for the election was in the
palace of the monarch for a visit. Unfortunately, armed thugs
attacked his convoy.

“At the end of it one person was declared dead and six people
injured. The injured people are still receiving treatment in the
hospital.

“While we were still managing that, yesterday (Thursday) when
the Vice President visited us, something unfortunate happened. As
the convoy of the vice president left Isale-Aluko the crowd behind
was shot at by yet-to-be-identified person.

“At the end of it two people were injured and they are receiving
treatment in the hospital.

“Eight persons have been arrested in connection with the Ojoku
killing and the Isale-Aluko incident. More of these suspects will
still be arrested and they will be made to face the full wrath of
the law. The arrested are undergoing investigation.

“Let me add that when carry out arrest, we don’t consider the
party those arrested belong to. Criminal suspects are treated as
criminal suspects.

“We don’t even want to know the party they belong. We are
security agents. We are neutral and non-partisan and we are
resolved to continue to maintain our neutrality.”

On the use of security agents to harass opposition, Egbetokun
said: “That has been the usual rumour. Let me tell you before this
election, there was no arrest by any of the security agencies. If
the botched election had held no election would have been made.

“It will be unfortunate for anybody to now consider the arrest
we have made as an attempt to intimidate the people in opposition.
We don’t know who is in opposition and we don’t want to know.”