Osun police launch manhunt after stray bullet kills teenager

Osun State Police Command has launched a manhunt for suspected hoodlums following the killing of a 14-year-old boy identified as Ezekiel Olapade and the injury of another person during a shooting incident near the Irepodun Local Government Secretariat, Ilobu.

The police also revealed that the deceased, Olapade, was reportedly struck by a stray bullet when armed men opened fire close to the council secretariat on Sunday afternoon.

The Command’s spokesperson, SP Abiodun Ojelabi, said officers had commenced investigations and were intensifying efforts to apprehend the prime suspect, identified as Saheed, popularly known as “Tanfeani”, alongside others believed to have participated in the attack.

“The incident happened this afternoon near the entrance of the Irepodun Local Government Secretariat in Ilobu. One Saheed, also known as Tanfeani, came with other thugs and started shooting. In the process, a bullet hit Ezekiel Olapade, aged 14, and he died on the spot.”

According to the police, another victim whose identity had yet to be established also sustained gunshot wounds and was receiving treatment in hospital.

Eyewitnesses said the gunmen had assembled near the local government secretariat and were allegedly attempting to gain access to the premises when they noticed a man wearing a cap bearing the colours of a political party at a nearby palm wine joint.

The relaxation spot, located opposite the council secretariat, was reportedly owned by the deceased’s mother and had several patrons present when the attackers advanced towards the area.

A resident, who requested anonymity for security reasons, said the assailants fired indiscriminately, causing people at the scene to flee in different directions.

“We were all relaxing there when the incident happened. As soon as we saw the armed men advancing towards us, everybody started running.

“The boy who died was probably not the target of those hoodlums. They were shooting in our direction and, in the confusion, Ezekiel was hit by a bullet and died on the spot,” the witness said.

The witness also added that the injured victim was the individual wearing the political party-coloured cap.

The police, however, confirmed that the suspected attackers remained at large and assured residents that efforts were ongoing to bring those responsible to justice.