Protests erupted in Ilesa, Osun State, on Saturday after a 12-year-old boy was allegedly shot during a campaign rally organised by the All Progressives Congress (APC). The incident occurred in the morning when gunshots rang out while the boy was sitting inside his mother’s shop, according to multiple reports.
An eyewitness who spoke to SaharaReporters alleged that the Chief Whip of the Osun State House of Assembly, Wale Akerele, was present at the rally alongside operatives of the Amotekun Corps security outfit. The witness claimed that the lawmaker and the security operatives opened fire on APC members during the event, leaving scores of people injured. The boy was reportedly caught in the crossfire while in his mother’s shop.
“Scores of APC members also sustained injuries,” the eyewitness stated. The precise circumstances surrounding the shooting remain unclear. The development triggered immediate demonstrations in parts of Ilesa, with residents demanding a thorough investigation into the shooting of the minor.
As of press time, the condition of the injured boy and the total number of casualties could not be independently verified. However, a photograph obtained by SaharaReporters shows the boy lying on a hospital bed, suggesting he is receiving medical attention.
Efforts to secure official comments from the Osun State Police Command, the Amotekun Corps, and Honourable Wale Akerele were not immediately successful. Authorities are expected to address the allegations as public pressure mounts for accountability.
