by Nurat Uthman
Many students in Osogbo, the capital of Osun state, did not attend their schools as commercial transporters refused to convey them and other residents to their destinations
It was gathered that the transporters, mostly mini-bus drivers popularly known as Korope, shunned the roads in protest against the shooting and hospitalization of the chairman of the Osun State Park Management System, Nurudeen Iyanda, popularly known as Alowonle.
Alowonle was allegedly shot in the stomach after being arrested over a domestic issue by men of the State Police Command on Tuesday.
He was said to have been rushed to the Osun State University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, for medical attention.
The state government disclosed that Alowonle had been on life support at the Intensive Care Unit of the Osun State University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo.
Many commercial transporters have converged on the hospital premises since their chairman was rushed to the hospital and refused to work.
As a result, many school children could not go to school as transporters deserted the roads.
Some schools around Ilesa Garage, Ataoja, and Old Garage areas were shut down as tension enveloped the areas.
The acting Police Public Relations Officer for the Osun Command, Emmanuel Giwa-Alade, claimed that Alowonle was shot while trying to escape from custody.
Giwa-Alade explained that Iyanda had initially been arrested alongside some associates on Monday over allegations of murder, attempted murder, unlawful possession of firearms, and malicious damage.
The Osun State Government had raised alarm over what it described as “the shooting to near death in police custody” of Alowonle, over “a domestic matter.”
A statement by Kolapo Alimi, Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment in the state, on Tuesday night called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of Mr. Moses Lohor, the Head of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad, accusing him of a willful act of attempted murder.
“We demand police impartiality and commitment to the rule of law without fixation on partisan considerations,” Alimi had said.
In another statement on Wednesday morning, Adeleke’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, quoted Governor Ademola Adeleke calling for peace and particularly pleading with transport workers statewide not to take laws into their own hands and allow state and federal authorities to address the issue for justice to prevail.
The governor noted that he had spoken to the Inspector General of Police and that immediate actions had been directed by the police authorities to bring to book those who shot the State Park Management System chairman.
“I call on Osun transport workers to maintain peace and not to take laws into their own hands. I have acted on this sad incident. I spoke with the police chief and I had a closed-door meeting with the Commissioner of Police. Justice will be served.
“We will not allow agents of violence to destroy the peace and stability of our dear state. Do not be provoked to violence. Go about your normal duties while we handle this serious threat to the peace of our state,” the governor was quoted as saying.
Meanwhile, following the fatal shooting of Alowonle, the statement noted that the Inspector General of Police has ordered the immediate arrest and prosecution of the Head of the Police Anti-Kidnapping Squad in Osun State, Moses Lohor, and members of his team for alleged attempted murder.
The statement disclosed that Lohor’s arrest order was confirmed by the Special Adviser to Adeleke on Security, Samuel Ojo, after a closed-door meeting between the governor and the State Commissioner of Police.
“Moses Lohor had shot Mr. Alowonle in the abdomen at the police station after his arrest over a domestic brawl with a neighbor. The park chairman is currently on life support at the Intensive Care Unit of the Osun State Teaching Hospital, Osogbo.
“Mr. Ojo narrated that the police authorities frowned upon Moses’ conduct as unprofessional, illegal, unauthorized, and against the operational code, noting that Moses and his men are about to be moved to Abuja this morning.
“We can confirm that the police authorities at the highest level have acted decisively on this matter. A clear punitive directive was issued by the IG. The governor has directed we follow up to ensure that justice is served,” the statement said.
