The Head of Osun Transport Management System (OSTMS), Wakili Nurudeen popularly known as Alowonle, has been shot and arrested after engaging police operatives in gun battles during arrest.
The Nation learnt that Alowonle who was appointed by Governor Ademola Adeleke in 2022 was arrested in connection with alleged killing of one Oyewale in 2022 and also assault on some residents of the state.
A source told The Nation that he was arrested and handcuffed at Ring Road area of Osogbo on Monday night while attempting to attack a resident who had wrote a petition against him.
It was disclosed that Alowonle and his boys conveyed themselves in Previa bus marked RBC 275XK but distress call to the police led to his arrest. However, his boys, mobilised and aided his escape from the grip of police operatives.
The source continued, “Police reinforced and he was later rearrested at Susi area of Oke-Baale, Osogbo alongside eight others. There were taken to Osun state Command.”
Similarly, a police source said during the arrest, a Barrett pistol and six rounds of 9mm live ammunition and one expended empty shell were recovered from Alowonle’s private Toyota Highlander unregistered jeep.
“When he attempted escaping again, he was maimed by police shot. A hummer bus marked AWK 480YD, Nissan Almera unregistered and Toyota Sienna – GNN 595 XD were recovered from him.
The source stated that he has been taken to a hospital for treatment.
Assistant spokesperson of Osun State Police Command, Emmanuel Dele-Giwa, confirmed the incident, saying “Our men arrested four others while efforts are ongoing to arrest other suspects.”
Osun State Government described the police action as premeditated to murder Alowonle.
Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment Kolapo Alimi, said Alowonle is presently on life support at the Intensive Care Unit of the Osun State Teaching Hospital after a gunshot wound in the abdomen while in the custody of the police at Osogbo.
According to him, video clips of Alowonle in handcuffs and under interrogation circulating in the media space dispelled any excuse that the park chairman was trying to escape, adding that the fact that he was shot in the abdomen as video from his hospital bed confirmed proved that he was shot at close range with intent to eliminate him.
Alimi said: “The programmed attempted murder of Mr Alowonle is just one in the series of shootings and attacks on officials of the state by the head of anti-kidnapping squad who regularly acted with impunity and who has not hidden his vow to eliminate supporters of the state government.
“As we regret a situation in which law enforcers are becoming threat to peace and stability of the state, the state government, therefore, demands the Inspector-General of Police and the National Security Adviser to take note of the increasing breach of state peace by the hostile conduct of some police officers who now shot at innocent civilians and suspects at will.
“We call for the immediate arrest and prosecution of Mr Moses Lohor, the Head of the Anti- Kidnapping Squad for his wilful act of attempted murder. We demand police impartiality and commitment to rule of law without fixation on partisan considerations.”
Meanwhile, a civil society group, World Institute for Peace (WIP) has appealed to the Inspector-General of Police, Dr Kayode Egbetokun to resist Osun State government lobbying and pressure to release Alowonle.
A statement by its coordinator, Comrade Lamina Omotoyosi commended the police for the successful arrest of Alowonle, who has been on watch list for the past two years over several murder cases allegation.
However, OSTMS Secretary, Nurudeen Iyanda, called for thorough investigations, saying Alowonle was shot at the Police command.
“We urge members to maintain peace across the parks while we take the matter up with the appropriate authorities.”
The Nation
