Salam To Tinubu: Direct Osun CP To Arrest Killers Of 14-Year-Old Ilobu Boy
The lawmaker representing Ede North/ Ede South/Egbedore and Ejigbo Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Hon. Bamidele Salam, has called on President Bola Tinubu to order the immediate arrest and prosecution of political thugs allegedly responsible for killing a 14-year-old boy in Ilobu, Irepodun Local Government Area of Osun State.
OSUN DEFENDER reports that the victim, Ezekiel Olapade, was killed while another person was injured after gunmen opened fire at her mother’s palm wine shop opposite the local government secretariat on Sunday afternoon.
According to the Osun Police Command spokesperson, Abiodun Ojelabi, the shooting was carried out by one Saheed, alias Tanfeani and other thugs.
“The incident happened this afternoon, adjacent Irepodun Local Government Secretariat. One Saheed, alias Tanfeani, came with other thugs and started shooting. In the process, the bullet hit Ezekiel Olapade, and he died at the spot,” Ojelabi said.
The police confirmed that another person was hit by a bullet and is receiving treatment in the hospital.
“The suspected perpetrator of that act is still at large,” Ojelabi added, noting that a manhunt has been launched to arrest those involved.
Salam, in an open letter to the President on Monday, said the boy was murdered “in cold blood” while the victim’s parents watched.
The lawmaker said the attackers allegedly came in a branded bus belonging to the Osun APC Governorship candidate.
“While you and I celebrated Father’s Day yesterday, a father in Ilobu, Irepodun Local Government of Osun State was denied the joy of celebrations as his 114-year-old son was murdered in cold blood by known political thugs,” the lawmaker wrote on Facebook.
Salam described the killing as one of many violent incidents in the state that the Nigeria Police Force has allegedly refused to investigate or prosecute.
He said political violence was unacceptable regardless of party affiliation.
“Yes, I am a politician, but I will never support, encourage, enable or promote violence against any other human beings. Those who do that are unfit for leadership and must not be allowed to go scot free,” he stated.
The federal lawmaker appealed directly to President Tinubu, saying the Osun State Commissioner of Police would only act on the President’s directive.
“As it is, Sir, it is only your voice that the Osun state Commissioner of Police will listen to. Please direct the immediate arrest and prosecution of these murderers and their sponsors,” Salam pleaded.
He concluded: “The blood of any human is too costly, too sacred to be spilt without consequences. Please, Mr President, seek justice for these poor souls just as you swore to do in your oath of office as President of this republic.”
Olamilekan Adigun is a graduate of Mass Communication with years of experience in journalism embedded in uncovering human interest stories. He also prioritises accuracy and factual reportage of issues.
