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Calls for Removal of Police Commissioner
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Awaits Arrest Of Killer Gang Leader
- Odibo Victory
The campaign council of Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has on Monday disclosed that a 14-year-old boy, Ezekiel Olapade, was shot dead by suspected APC thugs while attempting to rescue his mother during a violent attack in Ilobu, Irepodun Local Government Area of the state.
This was disclosed in a press briefing addressed by the Director-General of the Imole Campaign Council, Senator Kamarudeen Olalere Oyewumi, where it condemned the killing and called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of the alleged perpetrators.
According to the council, the incident occurred on Sunday, when armed political thugs reportedly launched an attack in Ilobu, triggering panic among residents.
The council disclosed that Ezekiel was trying to help his mother, who had fallen while fleeing from sporadic gunfire, when he was shot in the head by members of a gang led by one Saheed Kareem, popularly known as “Tanfeani.”
The group claimed that the Ezekiel died on the spot.
It further stated that the gang leader had been publicly identified by the Osun State Police Command, expressing hope that the acknowledgment would be followed by decisive action.
The council extended its condolences to the family of the deceased and described the incident as a tragic consequence of what it termed a growing list of unresolved political killings in Osun State.
According to the group, available reports from residents and eyewitnesses indicated that the assailants had earlier invaded the Irepodun Local Government Secretariat and attacked facilities within the premises, including the office of the Amotekun Corps.
The council said the development reflected a growing pattern of political violence across the state and accused security agencies of failing to decisively tackle the menace.
It cited previous incidents in Ikire, Ilesa, Owode-Ede and Osogbo, stating that several party members and supporters had either been attacked or narrowly escaped death.
“We have buried our dead in Ikire. We have mourned victims of violence in Ilesa. We have endured attacks on our members in Owode-Ede.
“Our party chairman in Osogbo Local Government only escaped the early grave by the whiskers,” it stated.
The group consequently called on the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, to order the immediate arrest and prosecution of Saheed Kareem and other individuals allegedly linked to the killing.
“We therefore call on the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Olatunji Disu, to immediately order the arrest and prosecution of Saheed “Tanfeani” and every individual connected with this heinous crime,” the group stated.
It also demanded a comprehensive investigation into all reported cases of political violence in Osun State, with a view to bringing perpetrators and their sponsors to justice.
“We also demand a comprehensive investigation into all reported incidents of political violence across Osun State with a view to bringing every perpetrator, sponsor, and collaborator to justice, irrespective of status or political affiliation,” it stated.
The council further expressed a lack of confidence in the leadership of the Osun State Police Command under Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gottan, citing what it described as recurring violence and inadequate law enforcement response.
“We are further compelled to express our unmitigated lack of confidence in the leadership of the Osun State Police Command under Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Gottan.
“The recurring pattern of political violence, the apparent absence of deterrence, and the widespread perception of selective law enforcement have severely eroded public trust in the command’s ability to discharge its constitutional responsibilities impartially,” The group expressed.
It therefore called on the Inspector-General of Police to redeploy the commissioner and initiate an investigation into the handling of political violence cases in the state.
The group also appealed to the National Human Rights Commission, civil society organisations, election observers and members of the international community to closely monitor developments in Osun State.
While reaffirming its commitment to peace, democracy and the rule of law, the council insisted that justice must be served to prevent further violence and ensure accountability for the death of the teenager.
“The memory of young Ezekiel Olapade must not be reduced to another statistic. His life mattered. His future mattered,” the group stated.