A major clampdown on the homes of leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) began in Osun State at nightfall on Friday, featuring armed and masked security agents.
Sporadic shooting was also heard, striking terror into neighborhoods according to reports filed by citizens in Osun state.
The Government Reservation Area home of Senator Bayo Salami was invaded by armed soldiers and security agents at midnight, as was the country home of the first civilian Governor of Osun State, Alhaji Isiaka Adeleke.
The entrance gate of Salami’s house was forced open by the hooded security agents who fired sporadically to gain entrance into the sprawling compound to arrest him.
The homes of the National Publicity Secretary of APC, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, and that of the State Secretary of APC, Prince Gboyega Famoodun, were also invaded at midnight by armed soldiers.
Also under arrest by armed soldiers and hooded security agents from their homes on Friday night were the State Commissioner for Home Affairs, Culture and Tourism, Alhaji Sikiru Adetona Ayedun; the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Wale Adedoyin; the Executive Secretary of Osogbo Local Government, Mr. Isiaka Faramade; the House of Assembly member representing Obokun and Ilesa State Constituencies, Hon. Femi Fafiyebi; as well as Folarin Fafowora.
APC agents in Ifelodun and Ede South Local Governments were also being arrested at the time of distribution of election materials by officials of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) but those of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were excluded.
The Ede South Local Government chairman of APC, Alhaji Surajudeed Opalola, was also arrested by the security agents, who were led by the Youth Leader of PDP in the council.
Also arrested and whisked to the office of the State Security Service was Mr. Sunday Dare, a communication expert.
Kunle Oyatomi, an APC spokesman, said in a swift reaction that the wave of arrests and intimidation would further deepen defeat of the PDP.
“It is a shame this is happening. This is democracy and our people are resolute on electing the leader they can trust,” Oyatomi said.
Saharareporters learns that all the APC leaders arrested were later released by the security agents.
