The father of a 14-year-old boy allegedly killed during a violent attack in Ilobu, Osun State, has called for justice, claiming his son was shot by armed hoodlums in the presence of security operatives.
The victim, Ezekiel Olapade, was reportedly killed near the entrance of the Irepodun Local Government Secretariat during a shooting incident that occurred on Saturday evening.
Speaking on Monday, the bereaved father, Gbenga Olapade, recounted the circumstances surrounding the tragedy, alleging that a group of hoodlums opened fire on residents gathered at a palm wine spot operated by his wife opposite the council secretariat.
According to him, he had spoken with his son less than 30 minutes before the incident occurred.
“My son had just completed his Junior Secondary School examination. I spoke with him shortly before the attack. We never imagined that would be our last conversation,” he said.
Olapade explained that customers, including a visitor from Ifon who was wearing a yellow fez cap, were at the bar when armed men arrived and began shooting indiscriminately, forcing people to flee for safety.
He said his wife fell while trying to escape and that Ezekiel, upon learning of the incident, rushed back to assist her.
In the confusion that followed, the teenager was allegedly struck by a bullet intended for another target.
“I was helping to rescue the man wearing the yellow cap and took him for treatment. I did not know at the time that my own son had been shot dead,” Olapade lamented.
The grieving father further alleged that the attackers were led by a local resident identified as Saheed Tanfeani.
He also claimed that police officers stationed nearby witnessed the attack but failed to intervene.
“I want justice for my son. The officers were close to the scene and saw what happened. It was after the attackers left that they removed my son’s body,” he said.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Osun State Police Command, Abiodun Ojelabi, said the teenager died after being hit by a stray bullet during the attack.
He stated that armed men allegedly led by a suspect known as Tanfeani invaded the area and opened fire, resulting in the death of the teenager and injuries to another victim.
However, the suspect denied involvement in the incident.
In a video circulating online, Tanfeani maintained that he was in Osogbo when the shooting occurred and dismissed allegations linking him to the crime.
He instead accused political opponents of attempting to implicate him.
The killing has sparked fresh political controversy in the state.
The Director-General of the Imole Campaign Council, Senator Lere Oyewumi, condemned the attack and called on the Inspector-General of Police to ensure the arrest and prosecution of those responsible.
Oyewumi also demanded a comprehensive investigation into recurring cases of political violence in Osun State and urged the redeployment of the state Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, citing what he described as declining public confidence in the command’s ability to maintain security.
He warned that continued failure to tackle politically motivated violence could further endanger lives and undermine public trust in law enforcement.
Meanwhile, the Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress distanced itself and its governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, from the incident.
In a statement issued by the party’s spokesperson, Kola Olabisi, the APC condemned the killing and urged security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation to identify and prosecute those behind the attack.
The party described the teenager’s death as tragic and unnecessary, while extending condolences to his family and the Ilobu community.
The incident has heightened concerns over rising political violence in parts of Osun State, with residents calling on security agencies to ensure justice and prevent further bloodshed.