The Oyo Police Command has confirmed the death of a teenager identified as Kehinde Alade hit by a stray bullet in the Gbagi area of Ibadan, the state capital.
Alade was hit by a stray bullet on Tuesday morning while reportedly on his way to write the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
The 14-year-old was in the company of his father and twin brother. The incident happened along the Gbagi market road in the Egbeda LGA, Ibadan.
In a statement explaining the incident, Adewale Osifeso, spokesperson of the command, said the police operatives were in a joint traffic enforcement operation with men of the Oyo State Traffic Management Authority (OYTMA) when they spotted a car driving against traffic.
Osifeso explained that the team attempted to stop the vehicle (black Honda Accord LAGOS registration number FST 639 JJ), which was being driven by Odunayo, the late Alade’s father.
“Rather than complying with lawful directives, the driver allegedly accelerated towards the enforcement team in an attempt to evade arrest, ramming into two OYTMA vehicles and a Police Buffalo Patrol truck,” the statement reads.
“In an effort to prevent further damage and harm to officers and other road users, barricades were set up to demobilize the fleeing vehicle.
“However, the driver reportedly broke through these barricades, continuing to drive recklessly and endangering lives.”
Osifeso said given the driver’s reaction, the officers suspected a “possible criminal activity or a case of abduction” and chased after the vehicle.
“In an attempt to immobilize the vehicle, a police corporal discharged a firearm aimed at the tyres,” the police spokesperson added.
“Tragically, the bullet missed and struck Kehinde Alade ‘m’, who was seated in the rear seat behind the driver.
“He was immediately rushed to the University College Hospital (UCH), where he was confirmed dead on arrival.
“The deceased’s body has been deposited at the Adeoyo State Hospital mortuary for autopsy and preservation.
“To forestall any threat to public peace, the Commissioner of Police, CP Johnson Adenola, psc, immediately deployed tactical and intelligence units, including the Police Mobile Force (PMF), to the scene and other strategic locations in Ibadan.
“This swift response restored calm, ensured public safety, and allowed for normal activities to resume.”
Osifeso said the commissioner of police has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the incident.
He added that the officer responsible for discharging the firearm has been taken into custody, along with other members of the team.
He assured the public that the investigation process would be transparent and the findings made public.
