Kayode Egbetokun, inspector-general of police (IGP), has ordered investigation into the shooting that led to the death of a teenager identified as Kehinde Alade in Ibadan, Oyo state capital.
A statement issued on Wednesday by Muyiwa Adejobi, the force spokesperson, said the police officer involved in the shooting has been taken into custody.
Adejobi said the IGP assured members of the public that justice will be served, while pledging transparent investigation into the matter.
“The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) condemned the incident and assured that the officer involved in the shooting has been taken into custody while a full-scale investigation is underway,” the statement reads.
“He equally reiterated that the process will be transparent, and its findings will be made public to ensure justice is duly served as he expressed heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased young man.”
The shooting incident
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 when the incident occurred along Gbagi market road in the Egbeda LGA, Ibadan.
Initial reports on social media stated that the teenager was hit by a stray bullet when police officers were chasing a suspect.
However, a statement released by the Oyo state police command said the shooting incident happened after the deceased’s father drove against traffic.
Adewale Osifeso, Oyo police spokesperson, explained that a team of traffic personnel and police officers attempted to stop the vehicle (black Honda Accord LAGOS registration number FST 639 JJ), which was being driven by the deceased’s father.
Osifeso claimed the driver refused to stop the car but instead rammed into vehicles belonging to Oyo State Traffic Management Authority (OYTMA) and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
Osifeso said owing to the driver’s reaction, the officers suspected a “possible criminal activity or a case of abduction” and chased after the vehicle while a shot was fired at the vehicle’s tyre.
The Oyo police spokesperson said the “bullet missed and struck Kehinde Alade ‘m’, who was seated in the rear seat behind the driver”.
