The Osun State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of an Accord Party lawmaker, Abiola Ibrahim, alongside 146 persons suspected of being recruited as mercenaries ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.

Ibrahim, who represents Irewole/Isokan State Constituency in the Osun State House of Assembly, was reportedly arrested at his residence in Ikire in the early hours of Saturday.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, confirmed the development, saying operatives of the Federal Bureau of Investigation-Intelligence Response Team (FBI-IRT) carried out the arrest.

“He was arrested in Ikire for harbouring suspected mercenaries. He was arrested with about 146 people.

“FBI-IRT arrested him. He is in their custody. He was arrested in the early hours of Saturday,” Ojelabi said.

A video of the operation circulating on social media showed uniformed security operatives questioning Ibrahim at the residence over the presence of the large group.

In the footage, Ibrahim maintained that the individuals were registered voters who had gathered to participate in the election. He denied recruiting or hiring them.

“They are voters for the election happening today. Some of them are indigenes from outside. I did not hire them. I did not promise anything. Voting is their choice. I’m not their agent,” he said.

The suspected voters were reportedly found in possession of newly issued Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and were allegedly camped at the lawmaker’s residence ahead of the governorship election.

The arrest comes amid heightened security and concerns over possible attempts to manipulate the electoral process as voters across the state elect a governor for the next four years. The police said the arrested persons remain in custody as investigations continue.