The Osun State Police Command has arrested five suspects, including a lawyer, Barrister Abdulrauf Ogunshola, in connection with the tragic murder of 14-year-old Olapade Ezekiel ahead of the August 15, 2026, Osun State governorship election.
​The announcement was made in an official statement issued on Friday, October 16, 2026, by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Zungura.
​According to the police, the shooting occurred at approximately 3:30 p.m. at a local palm-wine shop along Council Road, adjacent to the Irepodun Local Government Secretariat in Ilobu, Osun State.
​The victim’s father, Olugbenga Olapade of Ododo Compound, Ilobu, reported the attack at the local police division around 5:00 p.m. on the same day. According to the complaint, the 14-year-old victim was at the shop alongside his parents and other customers when a group of assailants arrived in a Toyota Sienna bus and opened fire sporadically.
​Following an intelligence-led investigation, police operatives apprehended five key suspects; Barrister Abdulrauf Ogunshola, Salako Taofeek (a.k.a. Fenuso), 30, Saheed Kareem (a.k.a. Tanfiani), 32, Abass Afeez (a.k.a. SS Abass), 32 and Ismail Yekeen (a.k.a. Asumo Ayan), 24.
​Police revealed that all five suspects confessed to participating in the crime. During interrogation, the suspects identified Salako Taofeek (Fenuso) as the individual who fired the fatal shot that killed young Ezekiel.
​In his statement, Taofeek disclosed that an accomplice identified as “Alaagba” served as the group’s armourer and custodian of the firearm used in the assault. Police confirmed that efforts are actively ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspect.
​Command spokesperson DSP Abiodun Ojelabi reassured the public that the investigation is being conducted professionally, impartially, and thoroughly. The command emphasized that it will rely on credible evidence, forensic findings, and established legal processes to determine individual roles before proceeding with prosecution in court.
