The Imole Campaign Council, TICC, responsible for the re election bid of Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, has called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of those behind the killing of a 14 year old boy, Ezekiel Olapade, amid rising concerns over political violence in the state.
The council made the demand while reacting to the incident that reportedly occurred on Sunday in Ilobu community, Irepodun Local Government Area, where suspected political thugs allegedly opened fire around the council secretariat, causing panic in the area.
During the chaos, Ezekiel was said to have been hit by a bullet while trying to rescue his mother, who had fallen into a ditch as residents fled the scene of the shooting.
Speaking at a press briefing in Osogbo, Director General of the campaign council, Senator Lere Oyewumi, condemned the killing and described it as deeply disturbing. He urged security agencies, particularly the Inspector General of Police, to ensure that those responsible are swiftly brought to justice.
He also called for stronger security measures ahead of the August 15 governorship election, warning that repeated attacks by suspected political thugs must be addressed before the situation escalates further.
Related News
My security campaign targets criminals, not ethnic groups, says Igboho
CSOs protest rising political violence in Osun, task Adeleke on security infrastructure
IGP appoints CSP Anitie Iniedu as new FPRO
Meanwhile, the Osun State chapter of the Accord Party has rejected an invitation to a meeting by the state Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, over the recent wave of violence and killings in parts of the state.
In a statement issued by the party chairman, Pastor Victor Akande, the party said it would not attend the meeting, accusing the police leadership of bias and failure to act on previous attacks allegedly targeted at its members.
Akande described the invitation as ill timed, insisting that it came when complaints of attacks, intimidation and destruction of party property had not been properly addressed by the police.
He alleged that the party had suffered repeated incidents, including the killing of its youth leader in Ikire, without any arrests made so far. He also claimed that party billboards were destroyed by suspected political thugs and that attacks in areas such as Osogbo and Ede left several supporters injured.
According to him, armed groups continue to operate openly in parts of the state, while security agencies have failed to take decisive action despite being aware of their activities.
In a separate development, a coalition of civil society organisations staged a protest in Osogbo over what they described as a growing wave of politically linked violence in the state.
The demonstrators, who gathered at Freedom Park before marching through major parts of the city including Old Garage, Olaiya and Oke Fia, called on the state government to strengthen security agencies and address rising insecurity.
They also urged caution over calls for the removal of the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, arguing that a change in leadership would not resolve the underlying security challenges.
Speaking during the protest, Executive Director of the World Institute for Peace, Lamina Omotoyosi, said the demonstration was aimed at pressing for improved security while allowing the police leadership to carry out its duties without political interference.
He added that allegations of bias against the police commissioner were politically driven, insisting that the command had shown commitment in tackling crime and maintaining order in the state, Zoyols News reports.
