Police arrest lawyer, 4 others over killing of 14-year-old boy prior to Osun election

**From Lateef Dada, Osogbo **

The Osun State Police Command has announced the arrest of a lawyer, Abdulrauf Ogunshola, and four other suspects in connection with the tragic killing of 14-year-old Olapade Ezekiel ahead of the August 15 governorship election in the state.

The other arrested suspects are Saheed Kareem (a.k.a. Tanfiani), 32; Ismail Yekeen (a.k.a. Asumo Ayan), 24; Abass Afeez (a.k.a. SS Abass), 32; and Salako Taofeek (a.k.a. Fenuso), 30.

In a statement issued on Friday on behalf of Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Zungura, the command’s spokesperson, Abiodun Ojelabi, stated that the shooting occurred on June 1, 2026, at about 3:30 p.m. at a palm-wine shop along Council Road, adjacent to the Irepodun Local Government Headquarters in Ilobu.

According to the police, the victim’s father, Olugbenga Olapade of Ododo Compound, Ilobu, reported the incident at the local police division around 5:00 p.m. that same day.

“According to the complaint, the deceased was at the palm-wine shop with his parents and some customers when a group of persons allegedly arrived in a Sienna bus and started shooting sporadically.

“As a result, 14-year-old Olapade Ezekiel sustained a fatal gunshot wound and died, while another person, Matthew John (a.k.a. Mofoto), sustained injuries.”

Following the incident, police operatives launched a comprehensive investigation, trailing the suspects as they hid in various locations to evade arrest,” the statement read.

The police noted that all five suspects have confessed to taking part in the crime, saying that further investigations revealed that Salako Taofeek (a.k.a. Fenuso) was identified by his accomplices as the person who fired the fatal shot.

Fenuso reportedly named an individual known as “Alaagba,” who is currently at large, as their armourer and the custodian of the weapon used in the operation.

The command stated that a manhunt is underway to apprehend the fleeing suspects.

Reassuring the public of a thorough process, the police emphasized that the investigation is being conducted professionally and impartially, relying on credible evidence and forensic findings to establish the exact roles of all involved before prosecution.

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