Members of the Park Management System in Osun State, on Wednesday, withdrew their services across the state, leaving many commuters stranded to protest the alleged shooting of its chairman, Iyanda Alowonle.
This is as the Osun State Police Command said further investigation into what transpired between Moses Lohor, the Officer-in-Charge of its Anti-Kidnapping Squad and Alowonle, which led to him being shot, would be handled by the Force Headquarters in Abuja.
The Secretary of the OSPMS, Mukaila Popoola, had on Tuesday alleged that Alowonle was shot while in the custody of the police after he was arrested following a complaint against him.
However, the Acting Police Public Relations Officer, Osun Command, Emmanuel Giwa-Alade, said Alowonle was maimed while attempting to escape arrest after he was caught with firearms by the police.
Speaking to newsmen about the development of the issue on Wednesday, Giwa-Alade said, “The matter has been transferred to Abuja for further investigation. The officer involved would be investigated, and the state government’s claim will also be probed.”
Meanwhile, the Secretary of the OSTMS, Popoola, who confirmed to our correspondent that the group withdrew commercial vehicles across the state in protest of the shooting of its chairman, said Alowonle was responding to treatment at the hospital.
Popoola said, “Help us tell Osun people that we withdrew our vehicles to protest the shooting of our chairman by the police while he was in their custody. We have told our people to remain law-abiding and avoid engaging in unlawful acts.
“Our chairman is out of danger. He is responding to treatment. We are hoping he will recover soon.”
In a related development, the Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has called for peace to allow the authorities to investigate and deliver justice on the shooting of Alowonle.
A statement by the spokesperson for the governor, Olawale Rasheed, said Adeleke pleaded with transport workers statewide not to take laws into their hands and allow state and federal authorities to address the issue for justice to prevail.
Rasheed also said Adeleke had spoken to the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and that immediate actions have 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.