Funeral Turns Tragic As Security Guard Kills 14-Year-Old Boy In Osun
A funeral ceremony in Ilesa, Osun State, turned tragic on Saturday when a 14-year-old boy was shot dead after a security guard on duty allegedly fired shots in the direction of attendees.
Confirming the incident in an interview with PUNCH on Sunday, the spokesperson of the Osun State Police Command, Abiodun Ojelabi, said two people had been arrested in connection with the shooting, which occurred at the Oke Ero area of Ilesa.
Ojelabi explained that the suspects had been moved to the command headquarters in Osogbo, where detectives have begun investigating the remote and immediate causes of the incident.
“One person was shot dead. The deceased is a 14-year-old. It happened at a funeral party in Ilesa. A guard was allegedly involved in the shooting. Three other people sustained injury, but two of those injured were discharged from the hospital this morning,” he said.
Eyewitnesses said that the shooting was an accidental discharge. The security guard involved was said to be a member of the Nigeria Forest Security Service who was on duty with some of his colleagues during the funeral.
According to one source, “The man involved was performing guard duty when the shot was released. One person was hit and died immediately, while some others sustained injuries. The entire place was thrown into chaos as people ran for safety.”
When contacted, the Osun State Commander of the Nigeria Forest Security Service, Hammed Nureni, confirmed that the operative involved came from Plateau State.
He described the shooting as an accidental discharge that occurred while the guards were performing a gun salute in honour of the deceased.
“From what I was told, the shooting occurred while they were performing a gun salute. The operative shot into the air, and as he was lowering the firearm, it discharged again, hitting the victim who died instantly,” Nureni said.
He added that the police had taken over the investigation and urged the public to remain calm as the command conducts a thorough probe to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The tragic event comes months after the Osun State Police Command issued a strong warning to residents especially hunters and private guards against the misuse of firearms, citing several cases of accidental discharges that have led to loss of lives across the state.
Sodiq Lawal is a passionate and dedicated journalist with a knack for uncovering captivating stories in the bustling metropolis of Osun State and Nigeria at large. He has a versatile reporting style, covering a wide range of topics, from politics , campus, and social issues to arts and culture, seeking impact in all facets of the society.
