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.
The police shared a video of the confrontation here.here.
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