Why Islamic cleric who criticised Kwara governor was arrested – Police

The Kwara State Police Command has clarified a report about the arrest of an elderly resident identified as Alhaji Abdulganiyu Babaimole for criticising Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq over the ‘poorly constructed’ Tanke Flyover Bridge.

The Kwara Police spokesperson, Toun Ejire-Adeyemi, in a statement to said it wishes to clarify a report by Sahara Reporters’ December 23, 2023 that a team of police officers led by the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Surveillance, CSP Mustapha Olayemi arrested Babaimole.

“Contrary to the report by Sahara Reporters regarding the misinformation in circulation as regards the sequence of arrest of one Alhaji Abdulganiyu Babaimole, Kwara State Command has decided to put the records straight,” Ejire-Adeyemi said.

“The fact remains that Babaimole was not arrested at the mosque at 5:30 PM as stated in the report.

“Rather, he was apprehended at his residence having returned from the mosque at about 16:20 hours on Friday, 22-12-2023 after observing the Jumat and Sunnah Mu’akkadah prayers.”

According to Ejire-Adeyemi, two unarmed detectives of the Kwara Police Command were deployed to invite Alhaji Babaimole for an interview based on the petition written against him.

She said the detectives met the subject at his residence in the Pakata area of Ilorin where he attends to people being an Islamic cleric.

Ejire-Adeyemi added that this clarification is crucial as it corrects the misinformation regarding the timing and location of Babaimole’s arrest.

She said the report that it occurred at his residence, having returned from the mosque at about 4:20pm of the same day and not during the time of worship was incorrect.

The Kwara Police spokeswoman stressed that accuracy in reporting is very vital, especially on sensitive matters such as this so as to avoid misconceptions or incorrect assumptions.

Ejire-Adeyemi explained that Babaimole actually warmly welcomed the detectives whom he mistook for his clients.

She said the detectives further identified themselves showing their warrant cards and Babaimole requested to take his cap from his room while he also informed a member of the family about his invitation to the police station.

“Thereafter, the subject voluntarily followed the police detectives. The narration of Sahara reporters on this matter is false and unfounded,” Ejire-Adeyemi stated.

“It is an act of disinformation and mischief aimed to sabotage the efforts of the Command in maintaining peace and harmony in the state especially in this yuletide.

“Consequently, the kwara state command urges everyone to disregard this disinformation of Sahara reporters as it is false and misleading.”