Four Months After Teenager’s Killing, Osun Police Arrest Five Suspects

The Osun State Police Command has arrested five suspects in connection with the killing of a 14-year-old boy, Olapade Ezekiel, who was shot during a shooting incident at a palm-wine shop in Ilobu, Irepodun Local Government Area of the state.

The latest development comes nearly four months after the incident, which occurred on June 21, 2026, when a group of persons allegedly arrived at the area in a Sienna bus and opened fire, killing the teenager and injuring another person.

The police identified the five suspects as Saheed Kareem, 32, also known as Tanfiani; Ismail Yekeen, 24, alias Asumo Ayan; Abass Afeez, 32, popularly called SS Abass; Salako Taofeek, 30, known as Fenuso; and Barrister Abdulrauf Ogunshola.

In a statement issued on Friday, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, said the arrests followed sustained investigations and efforts to track down the suspects, who had allegedly been evading arrest since the incident.

According to the police, the incident occurred at about 3:30 p.m. on June 21 at a palm-wine shop along Council Road, adjacent to the Irepodun Local Government Headquarters, Ilobu.

The statement said the deceased’s father, Olugbenga Olapade of Ododo Compound, Ilobu, reported the incident at the Ilobu Police Division at about 5 p.m. on the same day.

The father reportedly told the police that his son was at the palm-wine shop with him and some customers when a group of people arrived in a Sienna bus and began shooting sporadically.

Ezekiel sustained gunshot injuries and later died, while another victim, identified as Matthew John, popularly known as Mofoto, also sustained gunshot injuries.

The police said all five arrested suspects had confessed to participating in the crime. However, the individual roles of the suspects remain subject to the ongoing investigation and judicial determination.

The Command further disclosed that other suspects identified Salako Taofeek, alias Fenuso, as the person who allegedly fired the shot that killed the teenager.

According to the police, Fenuso identified a man known as Alaagba, who is currently at large, as the alleged armourer and custodian of the firearm used during the operation.

The police said efforts were ongoing to apprehend Alaagba for possible prosecution.

“The Osun State Police Command wish to update member of the public on the ongoing investigation into the shooting incident that occurred on 21st June 2026 at about 1530hrs at a palm-wine shop located along Council Road, adjacent Irepodun Local Government Headquarters, Ilobu, Osun State.

“As a result of the shooting, Olapade Ezekiel ‘m’ 14 years old, sustained a gunshot injury and subsequently died, while another person identified as Matthew John ‘m’ a.k.a. Mofoto sustained a gunshot injury”

The police, however, said the investigation was being conducted professionally and impartially, adding that credible evidence, forensic findings and other investigative processes would guide the determination of the circumstances surrounding the incident and the individual responsibility of those involved.

The Command assured the public that the investigation would continue, with efforts intensified to locate the fleeing suspect.