OSPMS crisis: CSOs give police ultimatum to remove OC of Anti-Kidnapping Unit
By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo
Concerned Civil Society Groups in Osun State have demanded the removal of the Officer-in-Charge of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, SP Moses Lohor, over the alleged shooting of the Chairman of the Osun State Park Management System (OSPMS), Nurudeen Iyanda, popularly known as Alowonle.
The groups issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, to remove Lohor and thoroughly investigate the incident, threatening mass protests if their demands are not met.
Speaking during a press conference in Osogbo on Wednesday, the spokesperson for the groups, Comrade Stephen Olanrewaju, condemned the arrest and shooting of Alowonle, alleging political motives behind the actions of the police.
Olanrewaju decried the alleged involvement of law enforcement officers in targeting perceived political opponents of some political actors, warning that such practices could undermine the peace and stability of the state.
He also questioned the police’s explanation of the incident, pointing out inconsistencies in their narrative. He argued that the abdominal gunshot wound sustained by Alowonle contradicted the claim that he was shot while attempting to escape.
The groups called on the IGP to investigate the matter and hold accountable all officers responsible, particularly SP Moses Lohor, whom they accused of high-handedness and frequent human rights abuses.
“The shooting of the Chairman of the Osun State Park Management System, Nurudeen Iyanda Alowonle, by men of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit led by Moses Lohor in the early hours of Tuesday, November 19, 2024, is not only condemnable but unlawful and unacceptable.
“Before this incident, there were widespread allegations of high-handedness, indiscriminate arrests, extortion, and even unannounced killings by the same unit under Lohor’s command.
“From the police’s narrative, it is evident that this incident was a deliberate and targeted attempt to eliminate Iyanda Alowonle. Their claim that Alowonle attempted to escape does not hold water because the gunshot wound was to his abdomen. Common sense dictates that a fleeing suspect would typically be shot in the back, not the front.”
The groups emphasized their demand for the immediate removal of SP Moses Lohor, alleging that his leadership of the anti-kidnapping unit has been marked by repeated abuses of power.
“We urge the Inspector General of Police to intervene urgently and ensure a thorough investigation. Justice must be served, and erring officers must be held accountable. The OC of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, SP Moses Lohor, must be removed immediately to restore public confidence in law enforcement.
“It is also important to caution police officers in Osun against extrajudicial killings, as witnessed in the past. Such actions disrupt the peace and tarnish the reputation of the force. Let us not forget the lessons of the #EndSARS protests, which were driven by public outrage over police overreach and brutality.
“We also call on political actors to desist from using law enforcement agencies to silence opposition voices. Politics is about serving the people, not oppressing them. Police officers have a duty to resist being used as tools for political suppression.”
The groups concluded by warning that failure to meet their demands within the given timeline would result in mass protests.
“If Lohor is not removed within a week, we will embark on mass protests that could potentially escalate into another #EndBadGovernance movement,” Olanrewaju stated.
