Probe killing of Osun teenager, PDP tells IG

The Osun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party on Friday demanded a comprehensive, transparent and impartial investigation into the murder of Ezekiel Olapade, a teenager allegedly shot dead in Ilobu by individuals suspected to be political hoodlums.

The party also urged the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, to monitor the probe into the killing and ensure that justice is served.

The demands were contained in a statement obtained in Osogbo, Osun State, and signed by the party’s chairman, Sunday Bisi.

Decrying the killing of the deceased, Bisi insisted that every person connected with the crime must be thoroughly investigated and brought to justice, irrespective of political affiliation or status.

Bisi, who also alleged that police operatives invaded the residence of the PDP chairman in Irepodun Local Government Area on the night of June 29, said the party chieftain was not invited by the police before the invasion.

He said that during the operation, the belongings of the party chief were badly damaged by the operatives who carried out the raid.

“The PDP considers this development disturbing and capable of creating the impression that the investigation process is being deliberately diverted from individuals allegedly linked to the crime towards political opponents.

“Accordingly, we call on the Inspector-General of Police, the Police Service Commission, the National Human Rights Commission and other relevant institutions to closely monitor this investigation and ensure that it is conducted fairly, professionally and without political interference,” the statement read.

The PDP chairman further called for “a comprehensive, transparent and impartial investigation into the murder of Ezekiel Olapade; an investigation into the reported threats allegedly made against Amotekun personnel before the attack; and an investigation and questioning of the alleged owners of the vehicle used by the suspected political thugs and murderers to carry out the attacks.

“An explanation from the Osun State Police Command regarding the reported operation at the residence of the PDP chairman in Irepodun Local Government and an assurance that law enforcement agencies will remain politically neutral and uphold the rule of law.”

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He stated that the party would continue to stand with the family of the late Olapade in their pursuit of justice and would resist every attempt to politicise or compromise the investigation.

Efforts to reach the Osun State Police Command spokesperson, Abiodun Ojelabi, failed, as calls to his mobile line did not go through and he had yet to respond to WhatsApp messages sent to him as of the time of filing this report.

The PUNCH reports that one Kareem Saheed, popularly known as Tanfeani, accused of leading suspected hoodlums to the entrance of the Irepodun Local Government Secretariat in Ilobu on the day a teenager, Ezekiel Olapade, was shot dead, had been paraded by the Osun State Police Command.

The suspect was paraded alongside 23 others arrested for offences ranging from membership of an unlawful group to thuggery at the command headquarters in Osogbo by the state Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan.

Gbenga Olapade, the father of the 14-year-old deceased, told journalists that Tanfeani led a gang that attacked his wife’s palm wine bar, located opposite the Irepodun Local Government Secretariat, on Sunday, June 21.

Olapade further explained that Ezekiel was hit by gunshots fired by hoodlums allegedly led by Tanfeani, who were at the entrance of the Irepodun Local Government Secretariat when they sighted a man wearing a yellow cap inside the palm wine bar and allegedly aimed at him.

But Tanfeani, while answering questions from journalists, denied killing the deceased and blamed members of the Accord Party in Irepodun for his predicament.

He said, “I am an Executive Assistant to the Chairman of Irepodun Local Government. I did not even go to the area where the deceased was killed on the day the incident happened. I was in our party office in Ilobu. Accord Party people are telling lies against me.

“The video where I was recorded carrying a gun was recorded on Friday, June 19. Some Accord Party hoodlums attacked us within the premises of the Irepodun Local Government, and I managed to retrieve the gun they brought to attack us. That was what I was carrying in the video. I am being victimised because I belong to the APC.”