Soji Ajibola, Ibadan
The All Progressives Congress, (APC) has alerted the relevant security agencies over an alleged threat to kill its 2023 governorship candidate in Oyo state, Senator Teslim Folarin.
The Chairman of the Park Management System, (PMS), Mukaila Lamidi otherwise known as Auxiliary was alleged to have threatened to kill Folarin in a video that have gone viral online.
The party, in a statement by his Alhaji Tajudeen Olanite called on the security agencies including the police to probe the video and its author.
According to the release, the threat to Folarin’s life by Auxiliary has become a matter of public knowledge via video clips that have gone viral on the social media space within the past few days.
The Party called on the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to ensure investigation of the threat by Auxiliary on the life of Folarin.
He accused the Makinde Administration of creating room for the escalation of thuggery and hooliganism in the State.
He also accused Gov Makinde of appointing an ex-convict to be the chairman of disciplinary committee of the Park Management System (PMS) in this state.
“Since February 2020 when Makinde appointed Auxiliary, the state has not really known peace. It has been threats and intimidation galore for people in the state. One will not easily forget the killing of Ramoni at Iwo Road Shopping Complex for parking his car in front of his parent’s complex…
“Even in the presence of security agencies and media practitioners, the followers of Alhaji Hazeem Gbolarumi, as well as policemen were mercilessly beaten by Auxiliary and his people during the PDP governorship primary held at Adamasingba Stadium in Ibadan. The policemen were beaten without regards to the fact that they were in uniform and nothing came out of it.
“But it is imperative go raise this alarm because Auxiliary, who made the threat to the life of Folarin, is an ex-convict and he has what it takes to carry out his threat, even with the backing of Governor Makinde-led administration.
“It is on record that Auxiliary was declared wanted by the Oyo State Police Command in connection with violence that occurred at Iwo Road interchange on June 4, 2011 where many people were killed in cold blood.
“During the bloody incident, former National President of the Nigeria Medical Students Association, Mr. Bala Usman Shanono, a 500-level medical student of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, was among other travellers felled by bullets. Following the incident, N500,000 ransom was placed on Auxiliary by the police.
“In 2014, the Lagos State Police Command paraded Auxiliary for illegal possession of guns. He was arrested by the command’s Special Anti- Robbery Squad, at the Olodo area of Ibadan on May 10, 2014 after an incriminating statement made by an illegal arms dealer, Abdulazeez Amao, who was arrested with arms hidden in bags of flour.
“In June, 2014, Auxiliary along with others were arraigned before an Oyo State Magistrate Court, sitting in Ibadan over three-count charge of conspiracy to murder, attempted murder and murder. He was remanded in Agodi Custodial Centre. The trial took two years. He was eventually sentenced to six-year jail term in July 2016 without an option of fine.
“On the day he was arraigned before the magistrate court, Auxiliary, who did not show any sign of remorse, threatened to break cameras of the photo journalists taking his photograph after the court session. He also pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against him.
“Delivering the judgment, Justice Eni Esan noted that Auxiliary and others were sentenced because of conspiracy to murder, though they were also tried for murder. The judge ruled that the prosecuting counsel failed in his attempt to convince the court beyond reasonable doubt over the allegations of murder and attempted murder…
“We therefore call on the Commissioner of Police in Oyp State and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) on the threat to the life of a three-term senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and a former Senate Leader in the National Assembly, to do the needful.”
