Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun was moved to tears in Ilobu on Monday as he paid a condolence visit to the parents of Ezekiel Olopade, the 14-year-old boy who was shot dead on Sunday.
NPO Reported that Ezekiel was murdered by suspected political thugs at Ilobu town in Irepodun Local Government Area of the state.
The teenager was shot dead by the assailants who carried out the attack in a campaign vehicle of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Video recorded after the attack showed the late Olopade lying lifeless by the roadside as his aggrieved accused the APC and the party’s governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, of killing his son.
In the wake of the incident, Adeleke visited the town on Monday where he met with the parents of the late teenager.
Ahead of the governor’s arrival, members of the community who were also aggrieved by the incident had waited the family compound.
Some of the residents had on the governor’s arrival displayed placards demanding justice for the late Ezekiel.
They also called for an end to political violence in the state with inscriptions reading, ‘No ambition is worth taking innocent lives’, ‘Enough of political violence in Osun’, ‘Justice for Ezekiel’, and ‘Politics is not a do or die affair’ amongst others.
Recounting their ordeal governor, Ezekiel’s father narrated how the political thugs had stormed the council and opened fire in the air while attempting to break through the council gate.
The aggrieved father alleged that the gang were led by a now wanted political thug, Saheed Tanfeani.
He said the gunshots had sparked panic in the community and forced him, his wife, children, and their customers to flee.
Meanwhile, one of the customers wearing a yellow cap reportedly caught the attention of the armed thugs who mistook him for a member of the Accord Party and as a result opened fire at his direction.
The late Ezekiel was reported to have returned to the shop after learning that his mother tripped and fell.
He was tragically shot dead in the process.
“I was in shop with my wife and son. We also had some customers in our shop. Then there was this guy with a yellow cap who came in to patronise us.
“It was at that same moment the police appeared at the one end of the road while Tanfeani gang appeared at the other end.
“They stormed the council and started vandalising the gate. In the process of breaking the gate, they started firing.
“While we were all running, this late boy learnt that his mother fell and he returned. The thugs then spotted the guy with a yellow cap.
“They mistook the cap for Accord Party’s branded cap and started shooting our direction. I didn’t realise immediately that my son had been caught in the crossfire.
“I was at the palace where I rushed one of the injured victims of the attack to. They shot the guy at the back, and neck.
“I was still at the palace when my wife called me that they did not see Ezekiel. By the time I returned, my son was already dead in the bush. He was shot in the head and side.” He said.
While the governor could be seen in very sober mood intermittently touching his eyes in what many saw as attempt to control tears, he was at some point moved to rise up from his seat to console the father of the deceased when he noticed he had broken down in tears.
The mother of the late teenager also broke down in tears as the governor condoled her.
Meanwhile, Adeleke in a post on his X handle after the visit to the family disclosed that he has directed security agencies to arrest and prosecute those responsible for the murder.
The governor frowned the spate of violent attacks ahead of the August election while reaffirming his stand for peace.
“Let it be clear: Osun people cannot be intimidated, silenced, or forced into submission through violence. Those who seek power must do so through the ballot, not through bloodshed.
“No amount of brigandry can diminish the resolve of our people or weaken our collective commitment to democracy and peaceful coexistence.
“Again, I have directed security agencies to ensure that those responsible are arrested and prosecuted. Justice must prevail.
“We will continue to stand for peace, defend the rights of our people, and remain focused on delivering good governance.
“By the grace of God and with the support of the people, we shall overcome every challenge and move Osun forward together to the highest possible level.” He wrote.