Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Osun State Police Command has confirmed the killing of a 19-year-old, Timileyin Oni, in Ijebu-Jesa, while three others sustained injuries in the attack that occurred on Monday night, 6 July 2026. The police have said preliminary findings suggest the incident was cult-related, but political parties in the state have already begun trading accusations over the killing.
Speaking with PUNCH Online, the Osun State Police Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, said the incident happened around 11 p.m. on Monday at T&K Junction in Ijebu-Jesa. “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,” Ojelabi said.
The police spokesman added that an injury was seen on the victim's head, suspected to be a gunshot wound. The body was taken to the mortuary, and the family was contacted. According to Ojelabi, the father of the deceased told police that Oni was attacked while returning from church. “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,” Ojelabi said.
The police noted that a warning had been issued earlier against cultists celebrating "7/7," and from all indications, the incident is cult-related. “No arrest has been made as we speak, but the anti-cultism unit has been drafted to the area,” Ojelabi added.
Despite the police position, the incident has sparked a war of words between the Accord Party and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state. The spokesperson for the Imole Campaign Council, Pelumi Olajengbesi, in a social media post, blamed the APC for the killing. “How many people will be killed because of politics and power?” Olajengbesi wrote. “This is my hometown tonight. 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,” he said.
However, the Chairman of Oriade Local Government Area, Olubunmi Obeisun, dismissed the claim. In a statement signed by his media aide, Olayinka Awoyemi, Obeisun cited the account of one of the survivors, Oginni Olamide Oluwole, who said he and others were on their way to church when they stopped to buy sachet water and suddenly noticed two men on motorcycles, dressed like bouncers, who opened fire in their direction. Olamide said they ran into a nearby shop to escape, but one of the gunmen pursued them and continued shooting, resulting in the death of his brother, Timileyin, while he sustained a gunshot injury to his hand. Obeisun insisted that the incident had nothing to do with the APC.
As investigations continue, the police have urged the public to avoid spreading unverified information on social media. The anti-cultism unit has been deployed to the area to track down the perpetrators and prevent further violence.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments