Alex Omenye
Mr. Damilare Bello, an Ogun State House of Assembly member-elect representing Sagamu Constituency 1, has been arrested by operatives of the Department of Security Service.
Bello, a Peoples Democratic Party candidate, is accused of orchestrating the Sagamu mayhem, which resulted in the vandalism of several banks during the naira scarcity protest.
Bello, also known as Dre, was said to have been on the run from the incident until his election on Saturday after rejecting prior DSS invitations.
According to a DSS source, Bello was arrested following a protest that took place on February 20, 2023, in Sagamu town, in the state’s Sagamu local government area.
Several commercial banks and other public buildings were vandalized during the protest.
“On March 21, 2023, at about 14:30 hours, the command apprehended one Oluwadamilare Bello over his alleged complicity in the act of economic sabotage,” A DSS source said
“Preliminary investigation has commenced and the suspect may be prosecuted for a crime relating to arson and disturbing of the public peace, amongst others upon conclusion of an investigation.
“The suspect is being investigated on economic sabotage /crime of national security dimension, arson, and disruption of public peace among others.
“The arrest is not politically motivated as it was being reported.”
Meanwhile, Oladipupo Adebutu, the PDP’s governorship candidate in the state, is said to have visited the service’s state office.
According to the source, the PDP sent three separate delegations led by its chairman, Sikirulah Ogundele, and other chieftains to mend fences with the command.
According to the source, the visit was used to clear up misconceptions about the service regarding the invitation and the eventual arrest of the suspect.
“Adebutu himself visited the command Wednesday, with a view to mending fences with the service and as well clear the past misconceptions about the office and realised that the service is a credible institution that must be reckoned with,” the source said.
Adebutu has yet to make a statement on the matter.
