Political Violence: Police arrest suspect over teenager’s murder in Osun

…Suspect denies involvement, alleges frame-up

By Shina Abubakar, Osogbo

The Osun State Police Command has arrested Kareem Saheed, popularly known as “Tanfiani,” over the alleged murder of 14-year-old Olapade Ezekiel during a political clash in Ilobu, Irepodun Local Government Area of the state.

The victim was reportedly killed during a confrontation between supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Accord Party over the control of the local government secretariat on Sunday, June 21. Two other persons sustained gunshot injuries in the violence.

Briefing journalists at the Command Headquarters in Osogbo on Monday, the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, said a total of 24 suspects, including Saheed, had been arrested in connection with political violence and cult-related offences across the state.

He said those arrested included suspects linked to another political clash in Okinni, Egbedore Local Government Area, on Saturday, June 27.

The suspects are Oyeladun Muideen, Ridwan Adekola, Mukaila Azeez, Sunday Friday, Olamilekan Fatai, Tiamiyu Ismail, Famuyiwa Toib, Ajiboye Toheed, Morufu Sodiq, Folorunso Moshood, Hassan Sodiq, Badiru Saheed, Adegoke Olalekan, Faruk Olawale, Iyanuoluwa Sarumi, Afolabi Ahmed, Adeshina Lukman, Mutiu Opeyemi, Olusola Daniel, Abiola Olabode, Azeez Abiodun, Babatunde Kehinde and Dada Mayowa.

The police commissioner reiterated the Command’s commitment to maintaining law and order before, during and after the forthcoming elections.

“I am using this opportunity to warn all criminally minded individuals, including cultists, political thugs and other troublemakers, to desist from acts capable of disrupting public peace and order or face the full wrath of the law,” Gotan said.

Meanwhile, Saheed denied involvement in the killing while speaking to journalists, claiming he was being framed by members of the Accord Party.

He insisted that he was not at the scene of the incident on the day the teenager was killed.

“The video that went viral on social media was recorded on Friday when some Accord Party thugs, led by individuals identified as Asibu and Bebo, allegedly invaded the local government secretariat with guns concealed in their vehicles.

“I seized one of the guns and later handed it over to an Accord Party leader who came to the council with them. I was not at the scene when the boy was killed,” he claimed.

Police said investigations into the incident and other cases of political violence are ongoing.

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