OSPMS Chairman arrested for alleged attempted murder

… as police deny shooting suspect

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo

The Chairman of Osun State Park Management (OSPMS), Wakeel Nurudeen, popularly known as Alowonle, has been arrested by the Osun State Police Command.

Alowonle, who was appointed by Governor Ademola Adeleke, was reportedly apprehended by the anti-kidnapping unit in Osogbo on Monday night.

According to a security source, Alowonle is accused of armed robbery, kidnapping, and attempted murder. He allegedly fired gunshots at police officers before his arrest.

Sources revealed that he was arrested and handcuffed in the Ring Road area of Osogbo while allegedly attempting to attack a resident who had written a petition against him. Alowonle and his associates were reportedly using a Previa bus with registration number RBC 275 XK when a distress call to the police led to his apprehension.

However, Alowonle and four others reportedly escaped with handcuffs still on their wrists after being forcefully freed. Police detectives later traced him to the Susi area of Oke Baale, where he was rearrested.

Upon returning to the initial arrest location for a search of his vehicle, a Barrett pistol, six rounds of 9mm live ammunition, and one spent cartridge were recovered from his personal unregistered Toyota jeep.

When Alowonle attempted to escape again, he was subdued by police gunfire. Additionally, a Hummer bus with registration number AWK 480 YD, an unregistered Nissan Almera, and a Toyota Sienna with registration number GNN 595 XD were also recovered during the operation.

The second spokesperson for the Osun State Police Command, ASP Giwa Alade Emmanuel, confirmed the arrest in an interview.

“He was arrested for unlawful possession of firearms, attempted murder, and malicious damage,” Emmanuel stated. “The Commissioner of Police directed that the case be transferred to the anti-kidnapping squad for a thorough investigation. The case is still under investigation.”

Addressing allegations that the police intended to kill Alowonle, Emmanuel said, “He has been taken to a hospital for treatment. If the police wanted to kill him, would they take him to a hospital? It’s not possible.”

Reacting to the incident, the Osun State Park Management urged its members to remain calm and avoid taking the law into their own hands.

In a statement made available to journalists in Osogbo, OSPMS State Secretary, Alhaji Mukaila Popoola, accused the police of shooting their chairman while in custody and demanded a thorough investigation into the matter.