Police Arrest Officer Involved in Accidental Shooting of 14-Year-Old Student in Ibadan

The Oyo State Police Command has confirmed that its officer shot dead a 14-year-old student, Kehinde Alade, in Ibadan, on Monday, May 20, during a joint traffic operation involving police officers and the Oyo State Traffic Management Authority (OYTMA).

The command, however, blamed the boy’s father, who was driving a vehicle in which the boy was shot for failing to adhere to traffic rules and subsequent arrest by law enforcement officers.

A statement released by the command Monday evening by its spokesperson, Adewale Osifeso, said the incident occurred around 7:45 a.m. along the Airport Roundabout in the Alakia-Adelubi/Airport Road axis of Egbeda Local Government Area.

The police noted that the enforcement team had attempted to stop a black Honda Accord with Lagos plate number FST 639 JJ, driven by Odunayo Alade (the deceased’s father), for allegedly driving against traffic.

The police alleged that rather than complying, Alade accelerated dangerously, ramming into two OYTMA vehicles and a police patrol truck in a bid to evade arrest.

The police further claimed that the driver’s actions, which included breaking through barricades, prompted officers to suspect a case of abduction or criminal evasion.

The statement contained a video showing how the black Honda Accord was trying to escape the law enforcement officers after passing one way while also driving recklessly. However, could not confirm the reason behind the driver’s attempt to escape the security operatives.

“Given the nature of the driver’s conduct, officers suspected possible criminal activity or a case of abduction. A police chase ensued. In an attempt to immobilise the vehicle, a police corporal discharged a firearm aimed at the tyres.

“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,” the statement added.

We reported that the boy, who was reportedly on his way to sit for his West Africa Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) was allegedly shot by the police in the early hours of Tuesday.

In a viral video seen by MarvelTvUpdates, the student lay lifeless on a hospital stretcher, with injury around his waist, which sympathisers claimed was from the gunshot.

We also observed a hole in the father’s car, which could have been caused by gunshot. There were also blood stains on the car’s floor.

Police detain officer

According to the command’s spokesperson, the police have since detained the officer who fired the shot.

He added that a full investigation into the incident had been launched, assuring that its findings would be made public.

“The officer responsible for the discharge of the firearm has been taken into custody and, along with other members of the team, is cooperating fully with the ongoing investigation. The command assures the public that the process will be transparent and the findings made public.

It was gathered that, the boy’s killing came barely 24 hours after the Lagos State Police Command arrested one of its officers, Obic Modestus, an inspector, for assaulting an Uber driver in a case that drew widespread condemnation after a video of the attack went viral.

The Lagos Command confirmed that Modestus had been summoned by its Complaint Response Unit and would face disciplinary action through the Provost Department.