A tragic shooting incident allegedly linked to political violence has claimed the life of a 14-year-old boy, identified as Ezekiel Olapade, while another victim is battling for survival in hospital.
The incident occurred around 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 20, 2026, near a palm wine spot opposite the Irepodun Local Government Secretariat in Ilobu, Osun State, throwing the community into panic and leaving residents in shock.
According to eyewitness accounts, a group of armed men reportedly arrived in the area and opened fire, causing people to flee for safety. In the ensuing chaos, several individuals sustained gunshot wounds, including the teenage victim who was later confirmed dead.
Speaking on the incident, the father of the deceased, Mr. Olapade, alleged that the attackers arrived in a vehicle bearing the insignia of a political party involved in the forthcoming Osun governorship election. He claimed the assailants initially attempted to gain access to the local government secretariat before turning their attention to people gathered nearby.
The grieving father recounted that as residents scrambled for safety, his wife fell while trying to escape. According to him, Ezekiel returned to assist his mother and was caught in the line of fire.
“I believed my son had escaped with the others,” he said. “It was only after several hours of searching that we discovered he had been shot. His body was later recovered from a nearby bush.”
He further alleged that one of the attackers was a man popularly known as Saheed Tanfeani, claiming that about six armed individuals participated in the operation. However, the allegations have not been independently verified by security authorities.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson of the Osun State Police Command, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, said the shooting occurred near the Irepodun Local Government Secretariat and resulted in the death of the teenage victim.
Ojelabi disclosed that another victim sustained serious gunshot injuries and is currently receiving treatment at a medical facility, while police investigations have commenced to identify and apprehend those responsible for the attack.
The police spokesman added that the suspects fled the scene immediately after the shooting, assuring residents that efforts were underway to track them down and bring them to justice.
The incident has heightened concerns over political violence in parts of Osun State as campaigns gather momentum ahead of the August 15, 2026 governorship election. Residents have called on security agencies to intensify surveillance and ensure that those behind the attack are arrested and prosecuted.
As investigations continue, the killing of the teenager has sparked fresh concerns about the safety of citizens amid the increasingly charged political atmosphere in the state.
