The All Progressives Congress and the Osun State Government have traded words over the alleged self-kidnap of Governor Ademola Adeleke’s media aide, Shakiru Babatunde.
Babatunde was reportedly arrested by operatives attached to Dugbe Divisional Police Headquarters, Osogbo, after allegedly faking his own kidnap.
The APC, in a statement by its Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi, accused the Adeleke administration of staging the abduction to heat up the polity and blackmail President Bola Tinubu’s government.
The party claimed that government officials had earlier announced the aide’s abduction on social media and blamed the APC for the “imaginary and false kidnap,” adding that the suspect later confessed in custody.
“The intention of the kidnap conspirators was to demonise the Osun State APC and criminalise the Federal Government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a failed administration under whose nose criminality has festered,” the APC said, urging the Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Zungura, not to allow the case to be swept under the carpet.
However, the state government, in a statement by the governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, said the police are investigating the matter without any pressure from the government.
Rasheed debunked claims that the Chief of Staff, Kazeem Akinleye, and other top officials were working to stop the investigation, noting that the government itself reported the incident to the Anti-Kidnapping Squad after the aide claimed he was kidnapped.
He also denied allegations that state officials attempted to bribe the police, describing the reports as “falsehood from the pit of hell” and “unfounded and baseless conjectures.”
“The police are currently investigating the matter while the state government is also waiting for the outcome of the investigation for further action. Governor Adeleke and top state officials are committed to transparency and law enforcement,” Rasheed added.
Follow the OSUNDOTLIFE channel on WhatsAppKindly share this story | All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from OSUNDOTLIFE.
Contact: editor@osun.life
WhatsApp: 📲 +2348092333666