The Edo Police Command has confirmed the arrest of the chairman of the Esan West Local Government Area, Collins Aigbogun, over alleged political violence in the area.
The Commissioner of Police (CP) in Edo, Nemi Edwin-Iwo, confirmed the arrest to journalists on Tuesday in Benin.
He said Mr Aigbogun had been moved to Abuja by the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) over the matter.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo had petitioned the Inspector General of Police, fingering Mr Aigbogun’s involvement in alleged political violence in the Illeh community.
Mr Edwin-Iwo said Mr Aigbogun was brought to the command’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on Monday by the divisional police officer (DPO) in charge of the area upon police invitation.
The police spokesman said Mr Aigbogun reported himself to the police after he was invited for assaulting somebody during an altercation.
“What happened was that he brutalised somebody in the course of an altercation between himself and other party members.
“He was invited, and the DPO in the area brought him to the State CID, where it was discovered that earlier before now, he had other charges against him.
“Our men from FID came and said that the man had earlier been wanted, and there was now a need for them to take him along so that they can investigate his matter; that was how he was moved to Abuja,” said Mr Edwin-Iwo, who said the matter was being investigated.
On the command’s readiness for the state’s September 21 governorship election, the CP warned non-state actors to stay clear of the election.