The tragic death of 14-year-old Ezekiel Olapade in Ilobu, located in Osun State’s Irepodun Local Government Area, has ignited fresh alarms about political violence in the region. Both the Imole Campaign Council (TICC) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) have strongly condemned the incident and urged the police to conduct a thorough probe.
In separate reactions, the two political parties called for peace and justice, emphasizing that the teenager’s death has heightened concerns over security and political tensions as the state’s governorship election on August 15 draws near.
Speaking at a press conference in Osogbo on Monday, Senator Kamarudeen Olalere Oyewumi, Director-General of TICC, labeled the killing as a sign of a worrying trend toward political assassinations that could threaten peace, security, and democratic stability in Osun.
Oyewumi claimed the teenager was shot dead on June 21 while trying to rescue his mother during a violent attack in Ilobu. He stated that eyewitnesses identified the attackers as a group allegedly led by Saheed Kareem, also known as Tanfeani. ‘The death of this innocent child is both heartbreaking and angering. He was only trying to help his mother, who had fallen while fleeing gunfire,’ Oyewumi remarked.
The TICC chief asserted that the Osun State Police Command has already identified the suspected gang leader and called for swift action. He also appealed to Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu to arrest and prosecute everyone linked to the crime. ‘We demand a comprehensive investigation into all reported political violence in Osun State, ensuring that every perpetrator, sponsor, and collaborator faces justice, regardless of status or party affiliation,’ he added.
Oyewumi expressed a lack of trust in the current police leadership under Commissioner Ibrahim Gottan and demanded his redeployment, citing repeated failures in curbing political violence.
In a separate statement on Monday, the Osun APC condemned the killing as wicked, heartless, and barbaric. Kola Olabisi, the party’s Director of Media and Information, urged the police to investigate and prosecute those responsible. ‘We strongly call on the state police command to probe this cruel killing and bring to justice anyone directly or indirectly involved in this extrajudicial death in Ilobu,’ the statement read.
The opposition party offered condolences to the victim’s family and Ilobu residents, praying for strength to bear the irreparable loss. The APC also warned individuals using political platforms to incite violence to stop, insisting that violence does not align with the party’s ideology or its governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji. ‘Our candidate rejects violence and has never and will never sponsor harm against anyone. He believes no political ambition is worth a drop of blood,’ the party emphasized.
Finally, the APC urged Governor Ademola Adeleke to fulfill his constitutional duty to protect lives and property.