By John Dike, Osogbo
Osun State Police Command has arrested three suspects in connection with an alleged assassination attempt on the Director-General of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship Campaign Council, Hon. Oluwole Oke, during a political engagement in Ipetu-Ijesa.
Addressing journalists on Thursday in Osogbo, the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, said the arrests were part of the Command’s sustained intelligence-led operations against cultism, political thuggery and other violent crimes ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
The police identified the arrested suspects as Olamilekan Oriyomi, 24; Ayotunde Ikupolati Ojo, 44; and Fakinleye Femi, 31.
According to the Command, the incident occurred on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, when Hon. Wole Oke and members of his entourage paid a courtesy visit to the Ajalaye of Ipetu-Ijesa before proceeding to the town hall for a meeting with APC supporters.
The police said that shortly after the meeting, a group of persons suspected to be political thugs and members of the Eiye Confraternity allegedly blocked the exit route of the APC delegation.
The Command alleged that the principal suspect, Olamilekan Oriyomi, produced a Beretta pistol loaded with four rounds of live ammunition and allegedly attempted to point it at Hon. Oke before he was quickly overpowered by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) on security duty at the venue.
The action, according to the police, caused panic among those present, but officers deployed to provide security responded swiftly, arrested the suspect and recovered the firearm with the live ammunition. Other suspects reportedly fled the scene.
The Police Commissioner said that following intensified intelligence-driven operations by the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), two additional suspects—Ayotunde Ikupolati Ojo and Fakinleye Femi—were arrested on July 1 in Ipetu-Ijesa.
According to the police, the principal suspect confessed during interrogation that he obtained the firearm from one Busuyi Akinwole Ikupolati, also known as “Omo-Akin,” who is currently at large.
The police further disclosed that the suspect allegedly made statements implicating other influential individuals, who are now under investigation.
The Command said efforts were ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects and recover additional evidence.
CP Gotan reaffirmed the commitment of the Osun State Police Command to ensuring peaceful, free and credible elections, stressing that anyone found engaging in criminal activities, political violence or acts capable of disrupting public peace would be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
He appealed to residents to remain calm, law-abiding and continue to support security agencies with credible and timely information, assuring them that the Command would continue to prioritise the safety and security of lives and property across the state.
