A 13 year old secondary school boy, Kehinde Alade, was tragically killed by a stray bullet fired by a police officer in Ibadan, during a joint operation with the Oyo State Traffic Management Authority (OYTMA).
The incident occurred around Alakia Adegbayi road, Egbeda Local Government Area, Ibadan, while the father of the boy, Mr Odunayo Alade, was taking him to school and was involved in a confrontation with the Oyo State Traffic Management Authority.
The incident has sparked a strong reaction from the community.
Speaking to journalists in his residence, Mr Alade, claimed he was fixing a tyre when officers attempted to arrest him for allegedly violating traffic rules, following the technician’s instructions to face oncoming traffic.
The situation escalated, resulting in one of the officers shooting and killing the boy.
According to Alade, the boy will be 14 years old by Nov. 26, and is demanding justice and accountability for his son’s death.
The family is grief-stricken, with sympathizers gathering to offer condolences. Mr Alade, a single parent, is devastated by the loss of his son.
Mr Oke, who was also in the car when the incident happened, gave his own account.
Moreover, in a video clip released by the OYTMA to the Journalists, revealed how Alade drove recklessly in other to evade arrest for driving against traffic.
The Oyo State government has expressed condolences, describing the incident as avoidable and attributing it to a traffic offense that escalated into a tragic event.
Meanwhile, in a statement released by the Oyo State Police Command confirmed the arrest of one of its officers who accidentally shot and killed the boy during a joint operation with the Oyo State Traffic Management Authority (OYTMA).
The incident occurred around 7:45 am when officers attempted to stop a vehicle driven by the boy’s father, Odunayo Alade, who was allegedly driving against traffic.
The driver allegedly accelerated toward the enforcement team, ramming into two OYTMA vehicles and a police truck, leading to a police chase.
A police corporal discharged a firearm aimed at the vehicle’s tires, but the bullet missed and struck the boy, who was seated in the rear seat.
The Commissioner of Police has directed a thorough investigation into the matter, led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID).
The officer who discharged the firearm and other team members have been taken into custody.
The body of the deceased has been deposited at the Adeoyo State Hospital mortuary for autopsy and preservation.
The police command extends its deepest condolences to the family of the deceased and assures the public of transparency and accountability in the investigation
