A former National Publicity Secretary of the People’s Democratic Party, Diran Odeyemi, has expressed displeasure over the invasion on his Ibadan residence by personnel of the Nigeria Police Force under the guise of investigating a kidnapping incident.
Odeyemi, in a statement he personally issued on Sunday, narrated that some heavily armed policemen numbering 20, raided his residence situated at Aerodromes GRA Samonda, Ibadan on October 26, 2024, and brought with them his female staff and one other suspect who were arrested over the allegation.
The politician, who is the Chairman, Governing Council, Osun State College of Technology, Esa Oke, Osun State, said he is presently in London on holiday, explaining that his neighbours alerted him that the armed policemen surrounded his building and raided it.
According to him, the invasion raised alarm in the entire neighborhood and left his family, staff, and himself shocked and deeply disturbed.
“Upon receiving the distressing news, I made repeated attempts to reach my personal assistant (PA) and cousin, who were present at the property. Despite my calls, they were not permitted to respond until much later, when my PA finally managed to contact me. He handed the phone to one Mr. Babatunde Chris-Olaiya, who identified himself as a Chief Superintendent of Police from the Anti-Kidnapping Unit in Osogbo. Mr. Chris-Olaiya declined to explain the reason behind this aggressive raid on my private property, merely instructing me to report to the Commissioner of Police in Osun State.
“During the forced search of my home, the police reportedly brought along a lady and another visibly injured man, both subjected to questioning. The lady, who operates my laundry services business, recounted a disturbing series of events. She was lured under false pretenses by a call from someone claiming to be the new manager of a local establishment who said he needed her services. Acting on this call, she sent our dispatch rider to pick up the items. Upon arrival, however, the rider was arrested, beaten, and coerced into bringing the policemen to the lady’s home.
“The police then stormed her residence, arrested her, and took her to their station at Eleyele. There, she was told they were investigating a kidnapping case involving someone she had communicated with recently. She was forced to provide her phone password, and her conversations with me were examined.
Both she and the rider were made to write statements, after which she was compelled to lead the police to my home,” he narrated.
He has however demanded full investigation into the attack on his home, saying, “It is both unthinkable and unacceptable that the Nigerian Police Force would engage in such conduct under the guise of an investigation.”
Suspecting harassment of his person, Odeyemi said, “I hereby demand a full investigation into this incident by relevant authorities to clarify the motives of those involved and to hold accountable any parties who may have abused their positions of power. I stand firm in my commitment to democracy, justice, and the well-being of those around me, and I call on law enforcement agencies to exercise their duties within the bounds of professionalism and respect for citizens’ rights.”
When The Point contacted the Public Relations Officer of the Osun State Police Command, Yemisi Opalola, on the telephone, she did not answer.
