Osogbo, the capital of Osun State, witnessed widespread protests on Tuesday as members of the Osun State Transport Management System (OSTMS) took to the streets.
The protests were sparked by the alleged shooting of their chairman, Wakeel Nurudeen Alowonle, reportedly by officers of the state’s Anti-Kidnapping Squad on Monday night.
The demonstrators blocked the Aregbe Park expressway, severely disrupting traffic in the area. According to eyewitnesses, commercial transport services in the city were brought to a halt, leaving many stranded.
Muhammad Jamiu, an observer at the scene, described the tense atmosphere: “It is tough over here. The road has been blocked, and there is a need for the presence of the police here before things get out of hand. As it is, no commercial bus is allowed to pass through. Only a few private cars have been allowed to pass.”
The incident reportedly began when Alowonle was arrested on suspicion of possessing a police pistol and ammunition. While the arrest itself raised questions, the situation escalated further when reports emerged that Alowonle had been shot in police custody.
The Osun State Government, through Kolapo Alimi, Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, condemned the incident, describing it as a near-fatal shooting over what was termed a “domestic matter.”
