14-year-old boy shot in Osun, father blames political thugs

Fresh worries about security in Osun State have come up after a 14-year-old boy was shot dead in Ilobu, Irepodun Local Government Area on Sunday afternoon. This incident has raised fresh claims of political violence.

The shooting happened as political tensions rise in the state ahead of the governorship election on 15 August. Civil society groups have also called for the redeployment of the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, citing claims of bias.

A video of the shooting's aftermath circulated on social media and was shown by Arise Television. In the video, the grieving father of the deceased accused a man named Saheed Tanfeani of leading six armed men in the attack.

With tears in his eyes, the father claimed that the attackers came in vehicles marked with the campaign colors of Bola Oyebamiji, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, known as “AMBO.”

“It is Saheed Tanfeani that killed my child. He is the one that killed my child. They came with AMBO-branded vehicles. They were seven in number. I don’t know the others, but there was also a dark man with a scar on his face. It was Saheed that led them. Six of them were shooting. They killed my child,” he said.

The incident reportedly happened in broad daylight and, according to sources, in front of police officers who could have stopped it.

PREMIUM TIMES confirmed that another victim, shot in the left hand, is currently receiving treatment at a hospital.

When contacted, the Osun State Police Command confirmed the shooting and the boy's death. The police spokesperson said no arrests have been made but noted that those named in connection with the attack are being investigated.

“No arrest has been made, although some names have been mentioned and those names are on our radar. We’ll see how we can apprehend them,” the police spokesperson told PREMIUM TIMES.

“The second person that was hit on the left hand is currently receiving treatment. We hope he gets better so he can provide an eyewitness account of what happened.”

APC, Accord, Saheed Tanfeani blame each other over killing

The APC chairman in Irepodun Local Government Area confirmed the incident but denied any party involvement. He insisted that neither the APC nor its members were connected to the killing.

“Our party is not in any way connected to the incident, and the allegation leveled against one of our members, Saheed Tanfeani, is false. The person in question was not in Irepodun Local Government at the time the unfortunate incident occurred,” he said.

In response to the allegations, Mr Tanfeani, accused by the boy's father of leading the group that killed his son, also denied any involvement. He described the claims as attempts to frame him.

“Everything that happened in Ilobu yesterday, I know nothing about it. I am not a killer and I have never killed anyone. Throughout yesterday, I was in Osogbo,” he said.

Mr Tanfeani claimed that members of the Accord Party were behind the incident and falsely accused him. “It is the Accord Party that lied against me. They are the ones accusing me. I know nothing about the incident,” he said.

He also expressed anger at the killer of the boy and those who made false claims against him.

Meanwhile, the Imole Campaign Council, which supports Governor Ademola Adeleke’s re-election, maintained its accusations against Mr Tanfeani. At a press conference, the Director-General, Kamarudeen Oyewumi, said the boy was not a member of any political party and had no confrontation before he was killed.

Mr Oyewumi claimed that the boy was shot while trying to save his mother, who fell while running from what he described as gunfire from Mr Tanfeani and his group.

“In that courageous attempt to save his mother, the young boy paid the ultimate price with his life. Tanfeani and his gang shot him in the head and the innocent youngster died on the spot,” Mr Oyewumi alleged.

The campaign council condemned the killing and expressed condolences to the victim’s family. “The Imole Campaign Council unequivocally condemns this barbaric act. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the Olalade family and all peace-loving people of Osun State who continue to endure the consequences of politically motivated violence,” the statement said.

Mr Oyewumi urged the Inspector-General of Police to ensure the immediate arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the killing.

“We also demand a thorough investigation into all reported incidents of political violence across Osun State to bring every perpetrator, sponsor, and collaborator to justice, regardless of status or political affiliation,” he said.

Earlier this month, a coalition called the Network of Osun Civil Society Groups protested in Osogbo, asking for the redeployment of Commissioner Gotan. The protesters accused the police of failing to stay neutral in politically sensitive matters and warned that public trust in the electoral process could be damaged if security and fairness concerns are not addressed.

The police command rejected the claims of bias and reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property without political bias. But Sunday’s killing is likely to raise more worries about security in the state, especially as political parties ramp up campaigns in local areas.