The reporter for Channels Television was shot dead on 22 July while covering a protest by members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) in Abuya.

According to the National Union of Journalists in Nigeria (NUJ), an IFJ affiliate,  Owolabi was covering the protest when he was hit by a stray bullet that killed him instantly. The NUJ was not able to confirm who fired the fatal shot.

He was among at least 13 other people, including a police officer, who were killed and several others injured during clashes between protesters and security officers, local media reports say. Violence broke out during a march organised by the members of IMN to demand for the release of their leader, Sheikh Ibrahim El- Zakzaky.