Osun police name suspects caught with guns at tribunal

The Osun State Police Command on Friday said two suspects arrested in a vehicle where guns were found at the entrance of the venue of the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in Osogbo, were still under investigation.

The PUNCH had reported that a car carrying some persons and guns was intercepted at the entrance of the premises of the Osun State High Court on Wednesday.

Giving an update on Friday in a statement signed by the command’s spokesperson, Yemisi Opalola, the police said the suspects were identified as Adigun Olalekan (37) and one Adebayo Rasaq (42), with both men claiming to be members of Nigerian Hunters, Forest and Security Service in the state.

According to the statement, items recovered from the vehicle included two locally-made single barrel guns and two different vehicle  number plates: Osun AA 531 RLG and Osun TAN 01 LT.

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The command urged residents to disregard the misinformation being spread on the social media about the incident, saying it was a calculated attempt to cause apprehension.

The statement further read, “This is to inform the general public and to set the record straight that, on 16th November, 2022 at about 11:00am, armed police operatives deployed for special duty at the Osun State Governorship Election Tribunal sitting, on the Osun State High Court premises, Osogbo, intercepted a Toyota Camry Car with registration number ‘Osun OSGH 102’ at the gate of the high court, venue of the tribunal, driven by Adigun Olalekan (37) with one Adebayo Rasaq (42).

“When the vehicle was searched, two locally-made single barrel guns and two different vehicle number plates, Osun AA 531 RLG and Osun TAN 01 LT, were recovered from the boot. The suspects claimed they are members of Nigerian Hunters, Forest and Security Service, Osun Chapter. They claimed they were engaged by the government to guard the premises of the high court and that they had been guarding the premises long before the tribunal was established and commenced sitting.

“On the order of the Commissioner of Police, CP Faleye  Olaleye, the suspects and the exhibits were transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for investigation. The investigation is still ongoing.”