A 14-year-old boy, Ezekiel Olapade, was on Sunday shot dead while another person sustained gunshot injuries during an attack by suspected hoodlums near the Irepodun Local Government Secretariat in Ilobu, Osun State.
The incident, which sparked panic among residents and visitors in the area, occurred opposite the council secretariat near a palm wine joint owned by the deceased’s mother.
Eyewitnesses said the attackers, allegedly led by a notorious thug identified as Saheed, popularly known as “Tanfeani,” had gathered close to the secretariat and were attempting to gain access to the premises when they noticed a man wearing a cap bearing the colour associated with a political party.
According to sources, the group then advanced towards the area and began shooting indiscriminately, forcing people at the palm wine joint to flee for safety.
A witness, who requested anonymity for security reasons, said the teenager was not the intended target of the attack.
“We were all relaxing at the spot when the armed men approached. The moment we saw them moving towards us, everyone started running.
“They opened fire in our direction and, in the confusion, the boy was struck by a bullet and died instantly,” the source said.
The witness added that the injured victim was the individual wearing the political party-coloured cap, while the deceased was the son of the owner of the drinking joint.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Osun State Police Command, SP Abiodun Ojelabi, said the attack occurred on Sunday afternoon near the entrance of the local government secretariat.
He alleged that the assailants were led by Saheed, alias Tanfeani, who arrived at the scene with other suspected thugs and opened fire.
Ojelabi said the teenager died on the spot after being hit by a stray bullet, while another victim, whose identity had yet to be established, was rushed to hospital for treatment.
He added that the prime suspect and his accomplices fled the scene and remain at large.
The police spokesperson assured residents that efforts were underway to apprehend those responsible, noting that an investigation into the attack had commenced.