The Osun State Police Command has arrested a serving member of the state House of Assembly, Abiola Ibrahim Inaolaji, alongside 143 suspected electoral mercenaries allegedly camped at his residence in Ikire.

Inaolaji, who represents the Irewole/Isokan State Constituency, was arrested on Friday night during a police operation. More than 200 Permanent Voter Cards were reportedly recovered from the location.

A video released after the operation showed the lawmaker making a preliminary statement in which he identified himself and allegedly admitted to facilitating the movement of the suspects into Osun State from neighbouring states ahead of the election.

The police said preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects were brought into the state from Ondo State to participate in alleged unlawful electoral activities.

According to the command, some of the suspects told investigators that they were recruited by an unidentified politician who allegedly helped obtain voters’ cards for them and instructed them to vote in exchange for financial rewards.

The arrest is part of intensified security operations aimed at preventing activities capable of undermining the credibility of the Osun election.

The police spokesperson, Abiodun Ojelabi, confirmed the arrest and said investigations were underway to identify other suspected accomplices who remained at large.

He added that the investigation would also determine the extent of the alleged network involved in the recruitment of electoral mercenaries, voter inducement and other related offences.