Osun Killing: Accord, APC Exchange Blame After Teenager's Death

Authorities in Osun State, specifically the police command, on Tuesday verified the death of a teenager, Timileyin Oni, aged 19, who was fatally shot in Ijebu-Jesa by unknown assailants. Beyond Oni's demise, the incident also resulted in injuries to three other individuals, who are currently receiving medical attention in hospital.

During an interview with PUNCH Online regarding the tragic event, Abiodun Ojelabi, the Public Relations Officer for the Osun Command, disclosed that early investigations point towards a cult-related motive for the attack. Ojelabi detailed the police response, stating, “The incident happened around 11 pm on Monday. We received a report that there was a shooting at the T&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. We saw an injury on his head, suspected to be a gunshot wound. We took him to the mortuary, and we contacted his family members.”

Further accounts from the deceased’s father, provided in a statement at the police station, indicated that Oni was attacked while he was returning home from church. Ojelabi further elaborated on the ongoing investigation, adding, “About three others were injured. 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.”

In the wake of the tragedy, the state chapters of the Accord Party and the All Progressives Congress (APC) have been engaged in a heated exchange of accusations over who is responsible for the killing. Pelumi Olajengbesi, spokesperson for the Imole Campaign Council, promptly took to social media to announce Oni's death, directly attributing the blame to the APC. Olajengbesi questioned the motive, writing, “How many people will be killed because of politics and power? This is my hometown tonight. Armed thugs drove into Ijebu-Jesa and started firing sporadically. An innocent young man has been k!lled, four others have been injured, and the entire town has been thrown into panic. This is what Osun APC calls politics. Those who care to know should know this today: 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. It is shameful. It is disgraceful. This is a stain on our democracy and a shame on Nigeria as a nation. Shame on those who believe that the path to power must be paved with the blood of innocent people. This page doesn’t support violence.”

However, the Oriade Local Government Chairman, Olubunmi Obeisun, through a statement issued by his media aide, Olayinka Awoyemi, vehemently refuted Olajengbesi's allegations. Obeisun presented the testimony of one of the survivors, Oginni Olamide Oluwole, to counter the claims. Oluwole, an indigene of Ere-Ijesa residing in Ijebu-Ijesa, recounted his harrowing experience: “One of the survivors, Oginni Olamide Oluwole, narrated how the incident occurred. According to him, he is an indigene of Ere-Ijesa but resides in Ijebu-Ijesa. He explained that he and others were on their way to church when they stopped to buy sachet water before they suddenly noticed two men on motorcycles, dressed like bouncers, who allegedly opened fire in their direction. Olamide said they immediately ran into a nearby shop in an attempt to escape the attack. However, he alleged that one of the gunmen pursued them into the shop and continued shooting. He said the attack resulted in the death of his brother, Timileyin, while he sustained a gunshot injury to his hand.”

Obeisun further asserted that the incident bore no connection to the APC, adding that the survivor, Olamide, identified himself as a committed APC member and maintained that the attackers were not affiliated with the party. PUNCH Online notes that it is common for the ruling Accord Party and the opposition APC in Osun State to trade accusations whenever instances of violence are reported.