Operatives of the Department of Security Service (DSS) have arrested Damilare Bello, a member-elect of the Ogun State House of Assembly representing Sagamu constituency 1.
Bello, who is a candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is accused of being the mastermind behind the Sagamu mayhem which resulted in the vandalism of several banks during a protest over the scarcity of naira.
According to sources, Bello had repeatedly declined invitations from the DSS prior to his arrest.
Sources have revealed that Bello, also known as Dre, had been evading arrest since the Sagamu mayhem until his recent election on Saturday. The Department of Security Service reportedly apprehended him on Wednesday in connection with the protest that occurred on February 20th, 2023, in Sagamu town, Sagamu local government area of Ogun State.
The protest had resulted in the vandalism of approximately 11 commercial banks and other public infrastructure by angry youth. The DSS source stated that Bello’s arrest was a significant breakthrough in their investigation into the Sagamu mayhem.
A source in the Department of Security Service (DSS) command said, “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.
“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.”
Ladi Adebutu visits
Reports indicate that Oladipupo Adebutu, the gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ogun State, has visited the state office of the Department of Security Service. The visit was made in the wake of the arrest of Damilare Bello, a PDP member-elect of the Ogun State House of Assembly representing Sagamu constituency 1, who is accused of masterminding the Sagamu mayhem.
Sources have revealed that the PDP sent three different delegations to the DSS, led by its chairman, Sikirulah Ogundele, and other chieftains, in an attempt to reconcile with the command. The visit was aimed at clearing up any misunderstandings between the DSS and the PDP regarding the invitation and subsequent arrest of Bello.
The source said, “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.”
Afolabi Orekoya, media aide to Oladipupo Adebutu, has confirmed that his boss visited the Department of Security Service office in Ogun State. However, he declined to comment on the purpose of the visit or any discussions that took place during the meeting.
It should be noted that the PDP had held a protest at the Independent National Electoral Commission office in Abeokuta 24 hours prior to Adebutu’s visit to the DSS office. The reason for the protest is currently unclear.
