The killing of a 19-year-old resident, Timileyin Oni, in Ijebu Jesa, Osun State, has sparked a war of words between the Accord Party and the All Progressives Congress, APC, with both parties accusing each other over the violent incident that also left three persons injured.
The Osun State Police Command, however, urged caution against speculations, saying preliminary investigations indicate that the shooting was cult related rather than politically motivated.
Confirming the incident on Tuesday, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Abiodun Ojelabi, said officers responded to a distress call after reports of gunshots at T and K Junction in Ijebu Jesa around 11 p.m. on Monday.
“The incident happened around 11 pm on Monday. We received a report that there was a shooting at the T and K Junction in Ijebu Jesa, and the police mobilised to the scene. On getting there, we met the lifeless body of a 19-year-old boy, Timileyin Oni. The police took him to the hospital, where he was confirmed dead,” Ojelabi said.
He added that the deceased sustained what appeared to be a gunshot wound to the head before his body was deposited at the mortuary, while his family was informed of the development.
According to the police spokesperson, the victim’s father told investigators that Oni was attacked while returning home from church.
Ojelabi disclosed that three other victims sustained injuries and are currently receiving treatment, adding that detectives have commenced investigations into the attack.
“We are still investigating. I don’t want to go into what is going on on social media from political parties. There was a warning issued by the police yesterday against celebrating 7/7 by cultists, and from all indications, it is cult related. No arrest has been made as we speak, but the anti cultism unit has been drafted to the area,” he stated.
Despite the police position, the incident quickly assumed a political dimension after the spokesperson for the Imole Campaign Council, Pelumi Olajengbesi, alleged in a social media post that armed thugs linked to the APC carried out the attack.
“Armed thugs drove into Ijebu Jesa and started firing sporadically. An innocent young man has been killed, four others have been injured, and the entire town has been thrown into panic. This is what Osun APC calls politics,” Olajengbesi alleged.
He further condemned the attack, saying, “Anyone responsible for the shedding of innocent blood should remember that karma is real. You do not take a human life because of political power.”
The allegation was, however, rejected by the Chairman of Oriade Local Government, Olubunmi Obeisun, who described the claims as false and misleading.
In a statement issued through his media aide, Olayinka Awoyemi, Obeisun said one of the survivors, Oginni Olamide Oluwole, narrated that he and others were on their way to church when two armed men riding motorcycles opened fire on them.
According to Obeisun, the survivor maintained that the attackers had no connection with the APC.
“One of the survivors narrated how the incident occurred. He explained that they were on their way to church when they noticed two men on motorcycles who allegedly opened fire on them. He also confirmed that he is a committed APC member and insisted that the attackers were not members of the party,” the statement read.
The police said investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend those behind the attack, while security operatives have intensified surveillance in the area to forestall any breakdown of law and order.
