Police arrest 24 suspects linked to Osun teenager's death and thuggery

The Osun State Police Command on Monday showcased a suspect, Kareem Saheed, also known as Tanfeani, along with 23 others arrested for various crimes. These include being part of illegal groups, political thuggery, and other violent acts in the state.

Saheed is accused of leading a gang to the entrance of the Irepodun Local Government Secretariat in Ilobu on June 21, where a 14-year-old boy, Ezekiel Olapade, was shot dead.

The suspects were presented at the Police Command Headquarters in Osogbo by the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan.

The deceased's father, Gbenga Olapade, claimed that Saheed led the attack on his wife’s palm wine bar near the Irepodun Local Government Secretariat. He said the trouble started when the hoodlums fired shots after seeing a man in a yellow cap inside the bar, and a stray bullet hit his son, Ezekiel, who later died.

When paraded, Saheed denied being involved in the killing. He insisted he was not near the scene during the incident. "I am an Executive Assistant to the Chairman of Irepodun Local Government. I did not go to the area where the deceased was killed. I was at our party office in Ilobu. Accord Party members are lying against me," he said.

Saheed also addressed a viral video that showed him with a gun. He said it was filmed two days before the shooting. "The video where I was seen carrying a gun was recorded on Friday, June 19. Some Accord Party hoodlums attacked us at the Irepodun Local Government premises, and I recovered the gun they brought to attack us. That was what I was carrying in the video. I am being victimised because I belong to the APC," he added.

Speaking to reporters, the Commissioner of Police said the command is stepping up its fight against cultism, political thuggery, and other violent crimes in the state. Gotan mentioned that police found locally made guns, charms, and hard drugs from the suspects.

"The command is fully aware of the recent cult-related killings and acts of thuggery that are disturbing the peace of the state, some of which seem to have political backing. Through intensified operations, the command has arrested several suspects linked to these crimes and remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of all residents," he said.

The police commissioner warned cultists, political thugs, and other criminals to stop actions that could disrupt public peace or face serious consequences.

Other suspects paraded with Saheed include Oyeladun Muideen, Ridwan Adekola, Mukaila Azeez, Sunday Friday, Olamilekan Fatai, Tiamiyu Ismail, Famuyiwa Adekunle, Ajiboye Toheed, Morufu Sodiq, Folorunsho Moshood, Hassan Sodiq, Badiru Saheed, Adegoke Olalekan, Faruk Olawale, Iyanuoluwa Sarumi, Afolabi Ahmed, Adeshina Lukman, Mutiu Opeyemi, Olushola Daniel, Abiola Olabode, Azeez Abiodun, Babatunde Kehinde, and Dada Mayowa.