Sheik Taofeeq Akewugbagold, a popular Islamic cleric in Oyo State, appealed to Governor Seyi Makinde regarding the release of his relative, identified as Azeez, who was reportedly arrested by the Nigeria Army.
On November 18, Azeez was detained at his home on Alhaja Sara Street, Cele, in Oyo Town, by soldiers from the Operation Burst Office. Handcuffed and blindfolded, he was taken to an unknown destination.
The cleric said that the 52-year-old detainee was suspected of assisting Sunday Igboho in bringing money into the country. Another rumour, he added, was that the detainee was acquainted with the hoodlums that assaulted the Medium Security Custodial Centre Abolongo in Oyo.
According to Akewugbagold, Azeez is a farmer, a transporter, and a prominent member of the All Progressives Congress in the state with no criminal record and was unaware of these events he’s accused of.
The family had reported the issue to Oyo police and gone to Operation Burst Office in Oyo, but no information on his location was supplied to them.
When approached by the media, the Commander of Operation Burst, Adamu Abubakar, said he was aware of the arrest but that the order came from Abuja. “I am aware of the arrest, but it is from Abuja. The family had contacted me and I told them it is beyond us here.”
