The Oyo State Police Command has detained one of its officers for accidently shooting and killing a 14-year-old secondary school student named Kehinde Alade in Ibadan on Tuesday. CSP Adewale Osifeso, the command’s spokesperson, confirmed this in a statement released in Ibadan on Tuesday.
He stated that the cop who discharged the firearm, as well as other members of his squad, had been arrested.
Osifeso stated that Johnson Adenola, the Commissioner of Police (CP), had ordered a thorough investigation into the event.
“The investigation will be led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID),” he said.
According to him, the officer is cooperating fully with the ongoing investigation.
He assured the public that the process would be transparent and the findings made public.
The spokesperson said the command regretted the tragic incident which occurred at about 7.45 a.m. during a joint traffic enforcement operation with the Oyo State Traffic Management Authority (OYTMA).
He said the team of officers were attempting to stop a black Honda Accord car, marked FST 639 JJ, driven by the deceased’s father, Odunayo Alade, for driving against traffic.
“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.
“In an effort to prevent further damage and harm to officers and other road users, barricades were set up to demobilise the fleeing vehicle.
“However, the driver reportedly broke through these barricades, continuing to drive recklessly and endangering lives,” he said.
The police spokesperson buttressed that, given the nature of the driver’s conduct, officers suspected possible criminal activity or a case of abduction.
“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.
“He was immediately rushed to the University College Hospital (UCH), where he was confirmed dead on arrival,” he said.
Osifeso said the body of the deceased had been deposited at the Adeoyo State Hospital mortuary for autopsy and preservation.
He says the police command extends its deepest condolences to the family of the deceased, adding that the command remains resolute in its commitment to upholding justice and ensuring accountability.