. Calls for Immediate Prosecution of SP Moses Lohor and Team The Osun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) strongly condemns the reprehensible and obvious assassination attempt on the life of the Chairman of the Osun State Transport Management System (OSTMS), Mr Nurudeen Iyanda ‘Alowonle’, which took place on Monday by members of the police Osun State Police Command. This heinous act was carried out by the anti-kidnapping squad led by SP Moses Lohor, an officer notorious for his excessive use of force.
The attempt on Mr Alowonle’s life, who was shot in the stomach by the police while in handcuffs, came on the heels of an alarming statement made by the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Umar Ganduje, where he promised to lay siege on the Southwest to forcefully take control of power from the two PDP states, Osun and Oyo.
A statement by the media office of the party and signed by the chairman, Hon Sunday Bisi, described the incident as a deliberate escalation of political violence and intimidation orchestrated by thoughtless forces working for the APC, and it is clear with this attack on the transport management chairman in Osun State.
“We are appalled by the reckless and brutal actions of the anti-kidnapping squad under the command of SP Moses Lohor, who shot Mr Alowonle in a manner that raises several disturbing questions. Firstly, how could a handcuffed suspect, reportedly in police custody “attempt an escape” from the station? How can the officer justify shooting Alowonle in the stomach, a life-threatening region of human body, after he had already been incapacitated? Was he facing them while attempting to escape, even in chains?
“We demand immediate clarification on these issues because we are not aware of any law permiting police to engage in jungle justice or the extrajudicial execution of citizens, regardless of allegations against them. The actions of SP Moses Lohor and his team must be fully investigated, and those culpable should be brought to justice. It is of particular concern that the OC of the team SP Moses Lohor has become a political tool being used for political actors to oppress citizens perceived to be against APC interest in the state.
The same officer has previously been involved in similar incidences of political victimization where he unlawfully detained and terrorized loyalists of former governor, Rauf Aregbesola.
“We urge the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the National Security Adviser (NSA), and the Police Service Commission to effect drastic actions against SP Moses Lohor and his team. An immediate and transparent investigation is required into the shooting incident, and all those responsible must be held accountable.
“The Osun State PDP will not shy away from holding into account, those who engage in political intimidation and violence while in positions of authority as graciously enabled by the mandate of the good people of Osun State.
“The pattern is getting clearer now, Officer Moses seems to have assumed the role of a political intimidator, going by his recent actions of deliberately targeting members of other political parties aside the APC. Nigerians would recall the recent invasion of the private residence of the former deputy national publicity of our great party, Prince Diran Odeyemi in Ibadan. The squad was led by this same officer Moses, apparently to harm him in the dead of the night.
“This ignoble conduct, we suspect, is part of a larger plot to forcefully capture Osun State as mooted by the APC National Chairman.
“We will not tolerate a situation where our members will be singled out for violent intimidation because of their political beliefs. We again call on the IGP, NSA, and Police Service Commission to act quickly and firmly to rebuild public confidence in the police force and guarantee justice is delivered,” he concluded
