Police in Ekiti State have arrested 11 suspected political thugs and recovered firearms ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives primary scheduled for May 15, 2026.
The Ekiti State Police Command said the arrests followed credible intelligence received on May 14, 2026, at about 9:00 p.m., that a group of armed men was sighted inside Onikoyi Hotel in Ikun-Ekiti.
Acting on the directive of the Commissioner of Police, operatives of the Rapid Response Squad cordoned off the hotel and arrested seven suspects: Adekunle Stephen, Adepoju Adebayo, Boluwaji Ishola, Oluwatobi Adeoluwa, Akintunde Emmanuel, Adewale Makanjuola and Ibitola Babatope. Others reportedly escaped in three vehicles.
Items recovered from the suspects included two pump-action guns, one Beretta pistol, nine rounds of 9mm live ammunition, four live cartridges, substances suspected to be criminal charms, two Apple laptops and a Honda Accord car.
Police said further operations led to the interception of an unregistered Toyota Sienna bus conveying four other suspects who had fled the hotel: Abanikanda Sikiru, Dayo Ibijowo, Ajayi Dele and Adegbite Damola. A pump-action gun was recovered from the vehicle.
During investigation, the suspects allegedly confessed to being hired by Hon. Davidson Akinlayo, a serving member of the House of Representatives representing Moba/Ilejemeje/Ido-Osin constituency, to disrupt the APC primary.
The Command said the suspects would be charged to court after investigations are concluded. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing gang members and their sponsor.
The Commissioner of Police said adequate security had been deployed across the state, including tactical and intelligence units, to ensure a free, fair and peaceful primary election.
He urged residents to remain law-abiding and to cooperate with security agencies, warning that anyone found attempting to disrupt the electoral process would be dealt with in accordance with the law.
