A 12-year-old boy, identified as Tobi Ilesanmi, was reportedly injured by a stray bullet during an All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign activity in Ilesa, Osun State, on Saturday.
The incident triggered protests in parts of the town, with residents and concerned persons demanding a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
The boy was reportedly inside his mother’s shop when gunshots were fired during a campaign procession in the area.
An eyewitness said a stray bullet subsequently hit him.
The source also claimed that several APC supporters were injured in the incident, alleging that the gunfire was directed towards some members of the party.
“Several APC members were also injured during the incident,” the eyewitness claimed.
The circumstances that led to the shooting remained unclear as of the time of filing this report, while the identities of those responsible for the gunfire could not be independently established.
The exact number of people injured could also not be independently verified.
Similarly, the current condition of the 12-year-old victim was unknown.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Osun State Police Command, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, said police personnel were immediately deployed to the scene after the report was received.
According to him, the area was cordoned off and some exhibits were recovered, including expanded cartridges and caps belonging to personnel of the Amotekun Corps.
Ojelabi also disclosed that the Commissioner for Environment, Mayowa Adejoorin, was arrested at the scene in connection with the incident.
“Immediately the incident was reported, our personnel moved to the scene, cordoned off the area before some exhibits were recovered which included expanded cartridges, Amotekun personnel caps.
“Also, Mr Adejoorin was arrested at the scene and has been taken to the command for questioning as part of the investigation process,” he said.
The incident occurred amid intensified political campaigns across Osun State ahead of the August 15 governorship election, with the APC and other political parties holding rallies and mobilisation activities across various communities.
Police authorities are expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the shooting and determine the individuals responsible as investigations continue.
