The Chairman of the Osun State Park Management (OSPM), Wakeel Nurudeen, popularly known as Alowonle, has been arrested by the Osun State Police Command over allegations of unlawful possession of firearms, attempted murder, and other charges.
Alowonle, appointed by Governor Ademola Adeleke, was apprehended by the anti-kidnapping unit of the police in Osogbo during the early hours of Monday. Security sources alleged that Alowonle had fired gunshots at police officers before his arrest.
Reports suggest the OSPM chairman was taken into custody near Ring Road, Osogbo, where he was accused of attempting to attack a resident who had filed a petition against him. His group reportedly arrived at the location in a Toyota Previa bus with registration number RBC 275 XK.
During the operation, the police recovered a Barrett pistol, six live rounds of 9mm ammunition, and an expended shell from his unregistered Toyota Highlander. Additional vehicles, including a Hummer bus (AWK 480 YD), a Nissan Almera (unregistered), and a Toyota Sienna (GNN 595 XD), were seized during the arrest.
Despite being initially detained, Alowonle’s associates allegedly facilitated his escape before police re-apprehended him. He sustained a gunshot wound while attempting another escape and was taken to a hospital for treatment.
Confirming the arrest, ASP Giwa Alade Emmanuel, spokesperson for the Osun State Police Command, stated:“He was arrested in a case of unlawful possession of firearms, attempted murder, and malicious damage. The CP directed the case to be transferred to the anti-kidnapping squad for a thorough investigation. The case is still under investigation.”
Addressing concerns over alleged excessive force, Emmanuel added:“If truly they wanted to kill him, would they still take him to the hospital for treatment? It’s not possible.”
Reacting to the incident, the Osun State Park Management (OSPM) called for calm among its members while condemning the alleged shooting of their chairman.
In a statement signed by the OSPM State Secretary, Alhaji Mukaila Popoola, the group expressed concerns about the circumstances surrounding Alowonle’s injury.
The statement read:“The Osun State Park Management System has announced the shooting in police custody of its State Chairman, Comrade Nurudeen Iyanda, in the wee hours of last night.
“Our chairman was shot in police custody under circumstances that call for thorough investigations.
“We call on our members not to take laws into their hands. We must maintain peace across the parks while we take the matter up with the appropriate authorities.”
