The Ekiti State Command of the Nigeria Police Force has arrested seven suspected armed political thugs allegedly brought into the state to disrupt the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election.
The State Commissioner of Police, Falade Adegoroye Michael, disclosed this on Friday during a press conference.
The suspects were arrested around 9pm on Thursday at Onikoyi Hotel, Ikun-Ekiti, following intelligence received by the police on their arrival in the state.
The police described the suspects as “armed hoodlums with dangerous weapons.”
Those arrested were identified as Adekunle Stephen, Boluwaji Ishola, Adepoju Adebayo, Oluwatobi Adeoluwa, Akintunde Emmanuel, Ibitola Babatope, and Adewale Makanjuola.
The police said some other members of the group escaped in three vehicles.
According to the command, items recovered from the suspects included one Beretta pistol, two pump-action guns, nine rounds of 9mm live ammunition, substances suspected to be charms, four live cartridges, two Apple laptops and a Honda Accord car.
Falade said preliminary findings showed that the suspects were allegedly hired by a serving member of the House of Representatives.
He said the suspects confessed to being political thugs brought into Ekiti to destabilise the APC primary election earlier scheduled for Friday, May 15, 2026.
The police commissioner said, “One Beretta Pistol, Two Pump Action guns, nine rounds of 9mm live ammunition, substances suspected to be criminal charm, four live cartridges, two Apple Laptops and a Honda Accord car were recovered from them.”
Falade said the arrested suspects would be charged in court after investigation.
He added that efforts were ongoing to arrest other fleeing members of the gang and their alleged sponsor.
He said, “Effort is underway to arrest other fleeing gang members and their sponsor.”
PrimeTimes Nigeria recalls that the APC primary election, earlier scheduled to hold on Friday, May 15, was later postponed to Saturday, May 16, 2026.
The police said it would continue to take steps to prevent violence and ensure peace before, during and after the exercise.