The Imole Campaign Council has condemned the release of Babatunde Festus Komolafe, who was reportedly caught with a gun in Ifewara town by the Nigerian Navy ahead of the governorship election on Saturday.

Mr Komolafe, an All Progressive Congress (APC) candidate for Atakumosa East/West Local Government Area, was caught in his town on Thursday in possession of a gun.

A statement on Friday by Pelumi Olajengbesi, the spokesman for Governor Ademola Adeleke’s campaign group, said the suspect was caught during a search conducted by the navy.

“The APC candidate was arrested alongside his supporters while travelling in a campaign vehicle reportedly belonging to the APC after a gun was allegedly discovered in the vehicle,” he said.

He added that his arrest was not secret, as a video showing the suspect went viral and sparked public outrage. 

Mr Olajengbesi alleged that Mr Komolafe and his co-perpetrators were immediately released following pressure from APC top shots. 

“A news outlet even chronicled how the naval officer in charge was forced to release the suspects and asked to step aside,” he said. 

The group commended the officers for being proactive in arresting troublemakers regardless of party affiliation. 

“That said, the release of a suspect who was caught with an unauthorised gun is unacceptable. It sends the wrong signal to political criminals whose pastime is killing and maiming,” he noted. 

He urged the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, to look into the grave injustice and punish the suspects, adding that no politician is above the law, and no political thug should be released to keep fomenting trouble.

Abiodun Ojelabi, spokesman for the state police command, was not available for comment from the Peoples Gazette. He also did not respond to the SMS sent to him as of press time.