The Kogi State Police Command has asserted that the apprehension of Olayinka Braimoh, the Action Alliance governorship candidate in Kogi State, during the off-cycle governorship election was not linked to any electoral misconduct.
Contrary to some reports, the command clarified that Braimoh’s arrest resulted from his non-compliance with restriction orders.
Reports surfaced of the gubernatorial candidate and his associates being detained in the Kabba Bunu Local Government Area for allegedly possessing campaign materials stored in his vehicle.
Concerns heightened over a possible kidnapping when attempts to contact Braimoh failed.
The candidate alleged that the police confiscated their phones, leaving them incommunicado inside the Area Command cell for an extended period.
William Aya, the spokesperson for the state Police Command, dispelled the electoral offense rumors, emphasizing that Braimoh’s arrest was rooted in violating the restriction of movement order on election day.
Aya explained that the order prohibited security personnel from accompanying VIPs during the ongoing election.
Despite the arrest, Braimoh was subsequently released.
Aya stated, “It was a violation of the restriction of movement.
You know there was an order that no security personnel should escort any VIP on the day of the election, and there was a restriction of movement.”
He emphasized that the incident did not involve any electoral offense but rather a breach of the movement restriction order.
Addressing the situation, Aya mentioned that the police would conduct an investigation, following established disciplinary procedures.
He clarified, “It was just a violation of the order and not an electoral offense.”
Meanwhile, Fred Ambo, the chairman of the Action Alliance party, condemned the arrest, describing it as manipulated.
He criticized the treatment meted out to Braimoh, highlighting the prolonged period of incommunicado detention and asserting that such treatment was typically reserved for criminals.
