Following the shooting and arrest of its Chairman, the Osun State Transport Management System(OSTMS) has announced the suspension of commercial transport activities for Wednesday, 20th November, 2024 across the State.
The Secretary of the OSTMS, Alhaji Mukaila Popoola in a statement on Tuesday directed motor parks across the State to suspend activities in solidarity with their Chairman who was arrested and short in Police Custody.
According to the statement, all commercial drivers in the State are to converge at Olaiya Junction in Osogbo in the morning of Wednesday, 20th November where members will be addressed.
The statement also called on the Inspector General of Police to ensure that Superintendent of police, SP Moses Lohor who attempted to take the life of the OSTMS Chairman, Comrade Nurudeen Alowonle is brought to book.
Alhaji Popoola through the statement warned that anything must not happen to Comrade Alowonle after reports indicate that SP Moses Lohor actually wanted to take the life of the OSTMS Chairman.
The statement reads, “It is clear that it is an attempt to take the life of our Chairman, the reports we gathered states that SP Moses Lohor aimed his gun directly at Comrade Alowonle with the intention to kill him.
“We are using this medium to tell the Inspector General of Police that nothing must happen to our Chairman and SP Moses Lohor must be apprehended and made to face the law.
“I call on our members across the State to boycot their transport activities and converge at Olaiya Junction in Osogbo tomorrow Wednesday the 20th of November for a solidarity walk and address.
“I must not fail to thank the Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Alhaji Kazeem Akinleye and the Commissioner for Transportation, Hon. Sesan Oyedele for standing by us through this difficult time. He stated.
The Osun State Park Management System has accused the police of shooting its chairman, Nurudeen Iyanda, popularly known as Alowonle, while in custody.
In a statement issued by the group’s Secretary, Mukaila Popoola, it was alleged that Iyanda was shot in the early hours of Tuesday after being arrested over a domestic issue.
Popoola stated, “Our chairman was shot while in police custody under circumstances that demand a thorough investigation. We urge our members to remain calm and refrain from taking the law into their hands. The matter will be pursued through appropriate channels.”
Reacting to the allegation in a statement, the acting Police Public Relations Officer for the Osun Command, Emmanuel Giwa-Alade, claimed that Iyanda 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.
He said, “A petition accusing Nurudeen Wakili, a.k.a. Alowonle, of these crimes was submitted to the Commissioner of Police and referred to the Anti-Kidnapping Unit for investigation.
“Police operatives, acting on credible intelligence, moved to Ring Road, Osogbo, where the suspect and his cohorts were reportedly planning to attack the complainant. On sighting the police, the suspects opened fire but were eventually subdued.
“Nine suspects, including Alowonle, were arrested at the scene. However, as they were being transported, supporters of the suspect ambushed the police, forcibly rescuing him and four others, who all escaped while still in handcuffs.”
Giwa-Alade further disclosed that the police traced the suspects to a hideout in the Susi area of Oke Baale, Osogbo, where Iyanda was rearrested.
“During a search of his vehicle, a Barrett pistol, six rounds of 9mm live ammunition, and an expanded empty shell were recovered. He made another attempt to escape during the search but was subdued and shot in the process. He is currently receiving treatment and is responding well,” he added.
In response to rising tensions, soldiers have been deployed to the Ilesa Garage area of Osogbo to prevent any breakdown of law and order.
Armed soldiers stationed at the motor park have restricted activities in the area, temporarily halting passenger boarding.
