Gov Adeleke condemns teenager’s death, accuses police of bias

Osun State Governor Condemns Shooting of 14-Year-Old Boy

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has condemned the fatal shooting of a 14-year-old boy in Ilobu, calling attention to what he terms a troubling trend of police complicity in political violence in the region.

In a statement released Monday by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, Governor Adeleke criticized the police for their alleged failure to prevent the incident, which reportedly occurred in their presence. He emphasized that the rule of law and constitutional provisions must take precedence in Osun State.

The governor extended his condolences to the family of the deceased, identified as Ezekiel Olapade, and called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of those involved in the shooting. He particularly urged the Osun State Police Command to locate and apprehend a suspect named Saheed Tanfeani.

“This killing exemplifies police complicity and highlights a persistent pattern of police indifference towards political thuggery by the All Progressives Congress (APC),” Adeleke stated.

He accused law enforcement of failing to address ongoing attacks and intimidation allegedly perpetrated by political thugs against residents and supporters of the Accord party. The governor expressed concern that the police are providing protection to APC local government chairmen who have been removed from office by court order, alleging that security personnel are stationed at council secretariats to block elected Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) officials from assuming their positions.

“Mobile policemen are being deployed to protect these court-sacked APC operatives, thereby preventing duly elected PDP officials from accessing local government facilities,” he said, labeling this as an abuse of police powers.

Adeleke cautioned that the ongoing disregard for judicial rulings poses a risk to democratic governance and public order. He also warned of potential civil unrest should law enforcement continue to fail in their duties. “We must respect the rule of law, the Electoral Act, and the Constitution,” he added.

In response to the shooting, the Osun State Police Command has initiated a manhunt for those responsible. According to police reports, Olapade was killed by a stray bullet fired by armed assailants near the Irepodun Local Government Secretariat on Sunday afternoon.

SP Abiodun Ojelabi, the command’s spokesperson, confirmed that investigations are underway and that efforts are being intensified to capture Tanfeani and other suspects connected to the incident.

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