Crime

IGP Orders Arrest of Osun Anti-Kidnapping Squad Leader Over Alleged Murder Incident

Published by Tope Fakinlede on November 21st, 2024.

IGP Orders Arrest of Osun Anti-Kidnapping Squad Leader Over Alleged Murder Incident

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has instructed the immediate arrest and prosecution of Moses Lohor, the leader of the Osun State Police Anti-Kidnapping Squad, and his team members for their involvement in an alleged attempted murder. This order follows an incident on Monday night in which Wakeel Nurudeen Iyanda Alowonle, the Chairman of the Osun State Transport Management System, was reportedly shot by police operatives under Lohor’s command.

The development was confirmed by Samuel Ojo, Special Adviser to Governor Ademola Adeleke on Security, in a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, after a meeting between the governor and Osun State Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Umar Abba.

The police initially claimed that Alowonle was shot while trying to flee arrest after officers allegedly discovered a firearm and ammunition in his car. However, the Osun State government has disputed this account, describing the shooting as a potential case of attempted murder.

Osun State’s Commissioner for Information, Kolapo Alimi, condemned the actions of the officers involved, calling it an abuse of power. Governor Adeleke has vowed to pursue justice for the victim, stressing his commitment to safeguarding citizens from police misconduct.

According to a statement released on Wednesday, Alowonle was shot in the abdomen at a police station following his arrest over a domestic dispute. He is currently receiving life-saving treatment at the Osun State Teaching Hospital in Osogbo.

Ojo explained that police authorities deemed Lohor’s actions unprofessional, illegal, and a breach of the police operational code. As a result, Lohor and his team have been transferred to Abuja for further investigation.

The statement concluded, “The IGP has taken swift action, issuing a clear directive for punitive measures. Governor Adeleke has instructed that we follow up closely to ensure that justice is fully served in this case.”