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Armed thugs loyal to the injured Chairman of Osun State Transport Management System (OSTMS), Nurudeen Iyanda Alowonle, allegedly ambushed police officers while trying to evade arrest on Monday night, a top source has revealed.
Alowonle, appointed by Governor Ademola Adeleke, to pilot the affairs of the state transport agency, was arrested by police officers in possession of a pistol and ammunition at the Oke-Baale area of Osogbo.
According to the top police source, the OSTMS Chair was invited over allegations of attempted murder, murder, kidnapping and illegal possession of firearms.
The source who preferred to hide his identity, because he was not authorised to speak on the issue, said the matter would not have degenerated if Alowonle had presented himself before the authorities without using armed thugs to frustrate the police.
“The police got a petition that Alowonle had threatened to kill some people because of a domestic dispute. He had even threatened to unleash thugs on them. That’s why the people affected petitioned the police. As a responsible organisation committed to keeping the peace of the state, police invited him and he did not show up.
“Riding on intelligence, the police caught up with him at the Ring Road area of Osogbo and arrested him. It was in this process that armed thugs ambushed our men and allowed him to escape in handcuffs.
“The police remobilised and got him around Oke Baale after a fierce gun battle. He was in an unregistered Highlander jeep accompanied by nine others in a Toyota Hummer bus, Nissan Almera, and Sienna Space Bus. They were all arrested. When the car he drove was searched, a British Barretta Pistol, six rounds of 9 mm live ammunition and an expended empty shell were recovered.
“He attempted to escape again in custody and that was why he was shot. The police is a law-abiding organisation but does not allow perceived criminals to walk the streets if substantial evidence is available. All other stories are concocted and fabricated,
“The case is now in Abuja and we will wait for IGP’s directive on it. The police acted professionally, we did not trample on anyone’s rights. The law will take its course. We appeal to everyone to continue to maintain peace in Osun State,” the top police chief said.
It was gathered that Several vehicles, including a Toyota Hummer bus, Nissan Almera, and Sienna Space Bus, were also impounded during the operation.
The public has demanded a thorough and impartial investigation to ensure justice prevails, with many questioning the state’s commitment to maintaining law and order amid these troubling developments.