A 32-year-old man identified as Falomo Tolulope has been arrested by the Osun State Police Command for allegedly shooting at protesting students of the Osun State College of Education in Ilesa.
The students were on October 27, 2022, protesting against what they called insincerity by the state government on the conversion of the College of Education to a full-fledged university, when they were shot by the suspect.
Three students of the institution sustained different degree of injuries on their arms and legs.
Spokesperson of the command, SP Yemisi Opalola, who confirmed the arrest in a statement on Thursday, November 10, 2022, said Falomo shot at the victims with a pump-action gun over an argument that ensued between him and the protesters and afterwards fled the scene.
According to the PPRO, the suspect was arrested on November 7, 2022, in his hideout at Odo Oro Area, Ilesa, and the pump-action gun was recovered from him with one expended cartridge.
"This is to inform the general public especially the students of Osun State College of Education Ilesa that, Falomo Tolulope ‘m’ aged 32yrs alias Ifa who shot at some of the protesting student has been arrested," the statement read.
"It would be recalled that, on 27th October, 2022 at about 1100hrs while the students were on peaceful demonstration/protest, Falomo shot at the protesters with Pump Action gun over an argument that ensued between him and the protesters and flee the scene. Three (3) students of the institution sustained different degree of injuries on their arms and legs, treated and discharged,"
"The Police Command under the leadership of CP Faleye S Olaleye, psc, not resting on their quest to get the suspect apprehended, expanded its investigation to the nooks and crannies of the State and arrested him on 7th November, 2022 at Odo Oro Area, Ilesa where he was hibernating and the Pump Action Gun used to perpetrate the act was recovered from him with one expended cartridge.
"The Commissioner of Police Osun State, CP Faleye S Olaleye, psc, wish to reiterate that he has come to serve and ensure that this state is made a sanctuary. He will not relent in his efforts to rid the state of criminal elements.
"You will recall that barely two weeks of his assumption of office as the Commissioner of Police, he has made a tremendous achievement, many notorious criminals (over 200) have been arrested within this short period of time.
"The CP therefore wish to implore the good people of Osun, the State of Virtuous to go about their businesses without any fear of threat, intimidation or apprehension."
