14-year-old boy shot dead in Osun, another injured

Pandemonium erupted near the Irepodun Local Government Secretariat in Ilobu, Osun State, on Sunday. A 14-year-old boy, Ezekiel Olapade, was allegedly shot dead by suspected criminals.

Another person was injured by gunfire and taken to the hospital for care.

The shooting happened on Sunday afternoon, right in front of the local government secretariat, near a palm wine joint owned by Ezekiel’s mother.

Eyewitnesses told PUNCH Metro that the attackers, led by a known thug called Saheed, also known as "Tanfeani," were near the council secretariat. They were trying to enter when they noticed a man wearing a cap in the colors of a specific political party at the palm wine joint.

According to sources, the armed men moved towards the spot, firing shots randomly and making customers run for cover.

An eyewitness, who asked to remain anonymous for safety reasons, said Olapade was not the main target of the attack.

He said, "We all ran in different directions. The boy who died was probably not the target of those hoodlums. They were about to enter the secretariat when they saw someone wearing a cap in the colors of a political party at the palm wine joint opposite the council gate.

"We were all relaxing there when the incident happened. As soon as we saw the armed men coming towards us, everyone started to run. They were shooting in our direction. In the chaos, Ezekiel was hit by a bullet and died on the spot.

"The other man who was shot survived. He was the one wearing the political party-colored cap. The deceased was the son of the owner of the drinking joint."

The Osun State Police Command spokesperson, SP Abiodun Ojelabi, confirmed the incident. He said the attackers were led by Saheed, known as Tanfeani.

Ojelabi stated, "The incident happened this afternoon near the entrance of the Irepodun Local Government Secretariat in Ilobu.

"One Saheed, also known as Tanfeani, came with other thugs and started shooting. In the process, a bullet hit Ezekiel Olapade, aged 14, and he died on the spot.

"Another person, whose name we do not know yet, was also hit by a bullet and is currently receiving treatment in the hospital.

"The main suspect and his accomplices are still on the run, and we are working hard to catch them."

The police said they have started investigating the attack.