A controversy has erupted over the alleged movement of a University of Ilorin lecturer from Kwara State to Kogi State following claims that about 17 police officers travelled to Ilorin to arrest him in connection with a politically related complaint.
The circumstances surrounding the reported incident remain unclear, with the alleged deployment and the reason for the lecturer’s reported movement yet to be independently established.
It was learnt the development may be connected to political disagreements within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi West.
Sources familiar alleged that the don was targeted because of his perceived political association and views on issues involving a senator and the administration of Kogi State, including discussions surrounding the Kabba-Olle-Iluke Road project.
The sources further alleged that the police team travelled from Kogi to Ilorin with the intention of taking the lecturer to Kogi State.
However, there was no independent confirmation that about 17 officers were involved, nor was it established whether the reported movement was carried out pursuant to a warrant, invitation, or other lawful authority.
The development has raised concerns because the lecturer is based in Kwara State, while the alleged police operation was said to have originated from the Kogi State Command.
Sources also alleged that the operation followed an instruction purportedly linked to a senior security official in Kogi State.
The allegation could not be independently verified.
The reported incident comes amid political disagreements within the Kogi West APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The disagreements have reportedly centred on the political future of a serving senator representing the district and the emergence of candidates for the next elections.
The senator recently held a town hall meeting with constituents and party stakeholders from Kabba/Bunu and Ijumu at an event centre in Kabba.
The meeting was attended by APC leaders, former lawmakers, traditional representatives, women and youth leaders and other party stakeholders.
Some participants expressed support for the senator’s continued representation of the district, while there were also calls for support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other APC candidates.
Sources alleged that the political activity had heightened tensions among some party members, with claims that individuals perceived to be aligned with the senator or the President had subsequently faced pressure or threats.
There were also allegations that some APC ward chairmen in Kabba/Bunu and Lokoja local government areas had been suspended, while some political appointees and party officials had faced pressure over their perceived political affiliations.
One case cited by sources involved a local government legislative leader who was allegedly threatened with replacement after attending a political programme in Kabba.
The spokesperson for the Kogi State Police Command said she was not aware of the alleged development.
Efforts to obtain the response of the senior security official whose name was mentioned in connection with the alleged operation were unsuccessful as of the time of filing the report.
A message sent seeking clarification on the alleged deployment and the circumstances surrounding the lecturer’s reported movement was not answered.
The police authorities and the Kogi State government have therefore not confirmed that a team of 17 officers was deployed to Ilorin or that the alleged operation was authorised by the government.
The lecturer was, however, reportedly taken to Lokoja, while efforts to secure his release on bail were said to be ongoing.
The circumstances surrounding his movement from Ilorin to Lokoja, including the specific complaint against him and the legal basis for his reported detention, could not be independently established.
The development is likely to attract attention as political activities intensify in Kogi West ahead of the 2027 elections.
Any confirmed evidence that security personnel were deployed in connection with an internal political disagreement could raise questions about the circumstances and legal basis of such an operation.
For now, the allegations concerning the deployment, the lecturer’s reported arrest and the alleged political motive remain unconfirmed.