London, October 27, 2024
I wish to bring to public attention a deeply concerning and unacceptable incident that took place at my residence in Aerodrome GRA Samonda, Ibadan, yesterday, 26th October, 2024. While I am currently in London on holiday, my neighbors alerted me that my home had been surrounded by heavily armed policemen numbering about twenty and arriving in multiple buses and Hilux vehicles. This invasion, which has raised alarm in the entire neighborhood, has left my family, staff, and myself 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.
The intrusion into my home, the physical and psychological harm inflicted on individuals associated with me, and the police’s unprofessional conduct in a residential area suggest an unsettling level of harassment. More disturbingly, my entire neighborhood was made to believe I was under investigation for kidnapping. It is both unthinkable and unacceptable that the Nigerian Police Force would engage in such conduct under the guise of an investigation.
As a journalist of over for thirty seven years and a renowned politician, I understand harassment when I see one. All my life I have been committed to speaking the truth and fostering a peaceful and lawful environment, and I am an advocate for transparent governance. However, this incident appears to fall well outside any legitimate law enforcement function, hinting at intimidation tactics aimed at stifling my activities or silencing my voice in public matters.
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.
Finally, I urge my supporters and the public to remain calm, vigilant, and steadfast in their commitment to a peaceful society governed by the rule of law. I remain resolute in the face of these developments and will continue to act in the best interests of our community and nation.
Prince Diran Odeyemi Chairman, Governing Council, Osun State College of Technology, Esa Oke Former National Publicity Secretary, People’s Democratic Party
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