Babatunde Komolafe Festus, an All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Assembly candidate in Osun State, has reportedly been arrested by the Nigerian Navy personnel in his hometown, Ifewara, over alleged possession of a gun.
Sources disclosed that Komolafe was arrested on Thursday, while travelling in a campaign vehicle belonging to the APC, alongside other supporters.
The arrest comes barely 48 hours before the Osun State governorship election scheduled for Saturday, August 15.
Sources said the arrest followed a routine search conducted by Navy personnel, during which a gun was allegedly discovered in the vehicle.
“He was arrested today after a routine search by Navy officials exposed him and other supporters with a gun, they were in the campaign vehicle of APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji when they were caught,” the source said.
There are also allegations that the suspects were linked to plans to cause violence during the election.
However, the claims have not been independently established.
The arrest has added to growing concerns over the possibility of violence as political parties intensify their campaigns and mobilisation ahead of the poll.
Political tensions in Osun have risen in recent days following a series of controversial statements and allegations involving supporters of the major political parties.
The police had on Wednesday summoned Senator Francis Fadahunsi, representing Osun East, over remarks in a campaign video in which he was allegedly heard telling supporters to “kill” members of the Accord Party.
Fadahunsi later said the comment was metaphorical and meant that the Accord Party should be defeated at the ballot box.
Details are expected as investigations into the incident were ongoing.
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