Nigerian Police Murders Oyo Student

The Nigerian Police on Tuesday, 20th May, killed a 14-year-old student, Kehinde Alade, with a stray bullet along the Alakia–Gbagi area of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. Kehinde was riding in his father’s car with his twin brother, Taiwo, when the incident occurred.

What Happened?

Kehinde, a secondary school student, was on his way to sit for his West African Examinations Council (WAEC) paper when he was hit by a stray bullet fired by a police officer during an operation targeting suspected internet fraudsters, commonly known as “Yahoo boys.” The teenager was in his father’s car at the time of the incident. He was rushed to Welfare Hospital, where he was later confirmed dead.

“It happened at a traffic light stop on the road exiting the airport directly,” Timilehin Abimbola, a resident who was at the scene of the incident, told FIJ.

The tragic killing of the student sparked immediate outrage, leading to protests at the scene. In response, police officers reportedly fired shots into the air to disperse the agitated crowd.

However, according to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Adewale Osifeso, the incident occurred around 7:45 a.m. during a joint traffic enforcement operation involving the Oyo State Police Command and the Oyo State Traffic Management Authority (OYTMA). The statement noted that the police team had attempted to stop a black Honda Accord with registration number FST 639 JJ, driven by the victim’s father, Odunayo Alade, who was allegedly driving against traffic at the time.

“Rather than complying with lawful directives, the driver allegedly accelerated toward the enforcement team in an attempt to evade arrest, ramming into two OYTMA vehicles and a police Buffalo Patrol Truck,” the police said in a statement.

The police further stated that, in an effort to prevent further harm to officers and other road users, barricades were set up to stop the fleeing vehicle. However, the driver reportedly broke through the barriers and continued driving in a reckless manner, posing a danger to others on the road.

According to the police spokesperson, the driver’s actions raised suspicions of possible criminal activity or a potential abduction, prompting the officers to take further action.

 “A police chase ensued, and 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.”

The police added that he was immediately rushed to the University College Hospital (UCH), where he was confirmed dead on arrival.

What’s Next?

The Oyo State Government has confirmed that the police officer who fatally shot a secondary school student during a routine traffic stop in Ibadan is currently under investigation. In a statement signed by the Governor’s Special Adviser on Media, Sulaimon Olanrewaju, the government described the incident as “sad, shocking, and painful,” and extended heartfelt condolences to the grieving family.

According to the statement, the Commissioner of Police has ordered a thorough investigation to be led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department.

However, this tragic incident raises serious concerns about policing practices in Nigeria. It is deeply troubling that officers are opening fire in high-traffic public areas where stray bullets can easily harm innocent bystanders. While the officer involved must be held accountable and punished appropriately, this incident also highlights a broader systemic issue: the urgent need for proper police training and reform.

The continued profiling of young people as fraudsters or criminals, often based on appearance or possession of gadgets, reveals that the police force has not undergone the meaningful reform it so urgently needs. True justice requires both accountability for individual actions and structural change to prevent such tragedies from recurring.