…Imole Campaign Council Demands Justice, Seeks Redeployment of Police Commissioner
By Shina Abubakar, Osogbo
The father of a teenager allegedly killed during a violent incident in Ilobu, Irepodun Local Government Area of Osun State, has recounted how his son was fatally shot while attempting to help his mother escape to safety.
Speaking with journalists during a press conference addressed by the Director-General of the Imole Campaign Council, Senator Lere Oyewumi, in Osogbo on Monday, Mr. Olapade Olugbemiga said his son, Ezekiel, was hit by a bullet after returning to assist his mother, who had fallen while fleeing the scene.
According to him, his wife, a palm wine seller near the Ilobu Local Government Secretariat, was attending to customers when armed men allegedly arrived in a vehicle bearing the insignia of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and began shooting into the air.
“My wife sells palm wine around the local government secretariat. While customers were relaxing, some people arrived in an APC-marked vehicle and started shooting sporadically, causing panic as people ran for safety,” he said.
Olugbemiga explained that he initially assisted another victim who had sustained gunshot injuries and took him to the palace, where rescue efforts were ongoing.
He said he was later informed by his wife that their son was missing.
“I rushed back and started searching for him. Later, I found him lying lifeless by the roadside.
“I was told that his mother had fallen while running and Ezekiel went back to help her. In the process, he was hit by a bullet in the head and shoulder,” he said.
Meanwhile, Senator Oyewumi condemned the killing, alleging that despite the identification of the suspected leader of the gang responsible for the attack, no decisive action had been taken.
“The Imole Campaign Council unequivocally condemns this barbaric act. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the Olapade family and all peace-loving people of Osun State who continue to endure the consequences of politically motivated violence,” he said.
He called on the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, to order the arrest and prosecution of all individuals connected to the incident.
Oyewumi also expressed a lack of confidence in the leadership of the Osun State Police Command under Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Gotan, citing recurring political violence and concerns over law enforcement impartiality.
Reacting to the development, the APC, through its Director of Media, Chief Kola Olabisi, condemned the killing and called for a thorough investigation.
Olabisi denied any involvement of supporters of the party’s governorship candidate, Asiwaju Oyebamiji, in the incident.
“We appeal to individuals using political cover to perpetrate violence against innocent citizens to desist from such acts.
“Our governorship candidate does not believe in violence and has never sponsored violence against any individual or group. No political ambition is worth the blood of any citizen,” he said.
Meanwhile, Tanfeani, who was named as the alleged leader of the gang, denied involvement in the killings, insisting that he was not in Ilobu when the incident occurred.
He claimed he was being falsely accused for political reasons.
“I am an Executive Assistant to the Council Chairman. I could not have been involved in the killing.
“I heard that some political thugs disrupted peace around the council secretariat and engaged in sporadic shooting. Governor Ademola Adeleke and members of the Accord Party are looking for ways to implicate me,” he alleged.
The incident has heightened political tensions in Ilobu, with growing calls for a comprehensive investigation to identify and prosecute those responsible for the teenager’s death and other acts of violence linked to the unrest.
