Moses Lohor, the head of the Osun State Police Anti-Kidnapping Squad, has been arrested for attempted murder following an incident that has sparked outrage across the state.
The arrest order was issued by the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, after operatives under Lohor’s command allegedly shot Wakeel Nurudeen Iyanda Alowonle, the Chairman of the Osun State Transport Management System.
The shocking incident occurred on Monday night, after Alowonle was allegedly shot while trying to escape arrest.
According to the police, a pistol and ammunition were found in Alowonle’s car, leading them to claim that he was attempting to flee.
However, the Osun State government has disputed this account, with Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration calling the shooting a case of suspected murder.
Samuel Ojo, the Special Adviser to Governor Adeleke on Security, confirmed that the Inspector General of Police had acted swiftly and ordered the immediate arrest and prosecution of Moses Lohor and his team.
In a statement released by Olawale Rasheed, the spokesperson to Governor Adeleke, Ojo described the actions of the police squad as “unprofessional, illegal, unauthorized, and in clear violation of the police operational code.”
The incident has triggered widespread anger, with many questioning the conduct of the officers involved.
The shooting occurred after Alowonle, who had been previously arrested over a domestic dispute with a neighbor, was brought into custody at a police station.
According to a statement from the Osun State Commissioner for Information, Kolapo Alimi, the situation escalated when Lohor allegedly shot Alowonle in the abdomen after his arrest.
Alowonle is now fighting for his life at the Intensive Care Unit of the Osun State Teaching Hospital in Osogbo, where he is currently on life support.
“The actions of the police officers are both shocking and unacceptable,” said Governor Adeleke in a statement.
He vowed to ensure that justice is served and that the full weight of the law is applied to the officers involved.
The Governor also confirmed that the police authorities had acted decisively and taken the necessary steps to move Lohor and his team to Abuja for further investigation.
“We can confirm that the police authorities at the highest level have acted decisively on this matter,” Ojo said.
He emphasized that the police leadership had issued a clear directive for punitive action to be taken against Lohor and his men.
“The Governor has also directed that we follow up on the matter to ensure justice is served,” Ojo added.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the state, raising concerns about police brutality and the use of excessive force.
In response to the public outcry, the Osun State government has vowed to continue pressing for a thorough investigation into the shooting.
“We will not rest until justice is served for Mr. Alowonle and his family,” said Governor Adeleke.
