Nigerian soldiers have reportedly been deployed to Ijebu-Ijesa in Osun State, where they were accused of arresting members and supporters of the Accord Party during Saturday’s governorship election.
The development was reported amid heightened security across the state as voters cast their ballots in the keenly contested Osun governorship election.
According to reports cited by Sahara Reporters, residents and party supporters alleged that military personnel moved into parts of Ijebu-Ijesa during the voting exercise and took several Accord Party members into custody.
The circumstances surrounding the reported arrests remain unclear, and there has been no immediate official statement from the Nigerian Army confirming the allegations or explaining the reason for the deployment.
The allegations come against the backdrop of mounting tension ahead of the election, with the Accord Party previously raising concerns over the arrest and detention of some of its members.
Party officials have accused security agencies of politically motivated arrests, allegations the authorities have not accepted.
Security has been significantly tightened across Osun as voters head to polling units, with security agencies deploying personnel to prevent violence, intimidation and other forms of electoral malpractice.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has urged voters and political parties to maintain peace and allow the electoral process to proceed without disruption.
The reported incident in Ijebu-Ijesa is likely to draw further attention to concerns over the role of security agencies in the election, particularly allegations of intimidation and selective arrests.
As voting continues, authorities are expected to clarify the circumstances surrounding the reported arrests and whether those taken into custody were involved in any alleged electoral offence.
The Osun governorship election is being closely watched, with incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke seeking another term under the Accord Party.
