The Osun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on the Osun State Police Command to arrest and investigate individuals it claims are linked to the killing of 14-year-old Ezekiel Olapade, alleging that the ongoing investigation is being politicised.
In a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by the Osun PDP Chairman, Hon. Sunday Bisi, the party expressed concern over what it described as the selective handling of the investigation into the teenager’s death, which occurred on June 21, 2026, near the Irepodun Local Government Secretariat in Ilobu.
The PDP extended its condolences to the family of the deceased and insisted that everyone connected to the incident should be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted, regardless of political affiliation.
According to the party, eyewitnesses and the victim’s family alleged that the attackers arrived in a campaign vehicle bearing the inscription “Ajisope AMBO,” a slogan associated with some members of the All Progressives Congress (APC). It argued that the allegation warrants a comprehensive and impartial investigation by the police.
The party also alleged that hours before the attack, the court-sacked APC chairman of Irepodun Local Government threatened officials of the Osun Amotekun Corps, warning them to vacate their office within the council premises or risk being shot if they returned.
The PDP claimed that the Amotekun office was later attacked by suspected political thugs, adding that the incident was reportedly reported to the police by the corps’ leadership.
The opposition party further alleged that one of the suspects arrested in connection with the killing, Saheed Kareem, popularly known as “Tanfeani,” stated during a media interview while in police custody that he served as an Executive Assistant to the court-sacked APC chairman of Irepodun Local Government.
According to the PDP, the suspect’s alleged statement and the earlier reported threats raise critical questions that should form part of the police investigation.
The party, however, expressed concern that instead of investigating those allegedly linked to the incident, attention had shifted to the PDP chairman in Irepodun Local Government, whom it said had no publicly known connection to the crime.
It also condemned the reported invasion of the PDP chairman’s residence by police officers on June 29, alleging that the operation was carried out without prior invitation and resulted in damage to property.
The PDP described the development as capable of creating the impression that the investigation was being diverted from the principal suspects to political opponents.
The party called on the Inspector-General of Police, the Police Service Commission, the National Human Rights Commission and other relevant institutions to monitor the investigation and ensure it is conducted fairly, professionally and without political interference.
Among its demands, the PDP called for a transparent investigation into Ezekiel Olapade’s murder, an inquiry into the alleged threats made against Amotekun personnel before the attack, investigation of the alleged owners of the campaign vehicle reportedly used by the suspects, clarification over the police operation at the residence of the PDP local government chairman, and assurances that security agencies would remain politically neutral.
The party maintained that it remains committed to justice and the rule of law, stressing that it would continue to support the deceased’s family in their pursuit of justice.
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