Osun State Police Command has intensified investigations into the killing of a 19-year-old resident of Ijebu-Jesa, Timileyin Oni, and the shooting of three others in the town.
The command also stated that no arrests have been made while its anti-cultism operatives continued efforts to identify those responsible.
The incident, which occurred late on Monday at T&K Junction in Ijebu-Jesa, has also sparked an exchange of accusations between the ruling Accord and the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, with both sides disputing the circumstances surrounding the attack.
Confirming the development on Tuesday, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, said officers responded to reports of gunfire at about 11 p.m. and found the victim lying motionless at the scene.
According to Ojelabi, “the victim was taken to hospital where doctors confirmed him dead, while an examination revealed what was suspected to be a gunshot wound to the head before his body was deposited in the mortuary and his family informed.”
He disclosed that three other victims sustained injuries during the attack and are currently receiving treatment, adding that detectives have commenced investigations into the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
“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,” Ojelabi said.
The police spokesman explained that information provided by the deceased’s father indicated that Timileyin Oni was returning from church when he was attacked, while preliminary findings suggested the incident might be linked to cult activities.
“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,” Ojelabi added.
Meanwhile, the incident generated political reactions after the spokesperson for the Imole Campaign Council, Pelumi Olajengbesi, alleged in a social media post that armed thugs carried out the attack and blamed members of the APC.
Olajengbesi wrote, “How many people will be killed because of politics and power? 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 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 Chairman of Oriade Local Government, Olubunmi Obeisun, rejected the allegations in a statement issued through his media aide, Olayinka Awoyemi, insisting there was no evidence linking the APC to the attack.
Obeisun cited an account by one of the injured survivors, Oginni Olamide Oluwole, who reportedly told authorities that he and others had stopped to buy sachet water while heading to church before two men on motorcycles allegedly opened fire on them.
According to the statement, the survivor said the victims ran into a nearby shop in an attempt to escape, but one of the gunmen allegedly pursued them and continued shooting, resulting in Timileyin Oni’s death and injuries to others, including Olamide, who reportedly sustained a gunshot wound to his hand.
The local government chairman maintained that the survivor identified himself as a committed APC member and stated that the attackers were not members of the party, while police investigations into the killing and the identities of the gunmen remain ongoing.