Police Arrest Armed Thugs Linked to Serving Lawmaker During APC Primary in Ekiti

The police have detained a group of armed men who are alleged to have been sponsored by a sitting member of the House of Representatives in Ekiti State.

State Police Commissioner Falade Adegoroye Michael announced the arrests during a press conference on Friday.

The suspects, described by the police as “armed hoodlums with dangerous weapons,” were taken into custody at 9 pm on Thursday at Onikoyi Hotel in Ikun‑Ekiti after intelligence indicated their arrival in the state.

The arrested individuals were identified as Adekunle Stephen, Boluwaji Ishola, Adepoju Adebayo, Oluwatobi Adeoluwa, Akintunde Emmanuel, Ibitola Babatope, and Adewale Makanjuola. Others fled in three vehicles.

Commissioner Falade said the suspects admitted to being political thugs hired by a serving member of the House of Representatives to destabilise the APC primary elections that were originally scheduled for 15 May 2026 in the state.

The police recovered “one Beretta pistol, two pump‑action guns, nine rounds of 9 mm live ammunition, substances suspected to be a criminal charm, four live cartridges, two Apple laptops and a Honda Accord” from the suspects, he added.

Falade assured that the hoodlums will be charged in court and that efforts are underway to arrest other fleeing gang members and their sponsor.

Daily Post reports that the primary election, originally set for Friday 15 May, has been postponed to Saturday 16 May 2026.