Tragic Loss: Ibadan Family Mourns 13-Year-Old Son Fatally Shot by Police

The atmosphere was heavy with grief at the Ibadan residence of Mr. Odunayo Alade. The once lively home, filled with children’s laughter, now echoed with sorrow as friends, neighbors, and sympathizers gathered to mourn the untimely death of 13-year-old Kehinde.

Kehinde, a student at Jislord High School, was en route to his elder brother Emmanuel’s West African Senior School Certificate Examination, accompanied by his twin brother Taiwo and their father. During their journey, a police officer fired at their vehicle, resulting in Kehinde’s death.

Mr. Alade recounted the incident, explaining that officers from the Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority (OYRTMA), alongside police personnel, attempted to stop his vehicle on Old Ife Road, Alakia. In a bid to avoid delay, he tried to bypass them, unaware of the armed officers. Suddenly, a gunshot rang out, and Kehinde cried out, “Daddy!”

The grieving father, who has five children, including the three sons in the car during the incident, expressed his anguish and called for justice.

In the aftermath, enraged youths transported Kehinde’s body to the state secretariat at Agodi, demanding accountability and urging Governor Seyi Makinde to intervene. The body was subsequently taken to the Adeoyo Hospital morgue.

The Oyo State Government, through the Special Adviser on Media, Sulaimon Olanrewaju, stated that Mr. Alade was driving against traffic in a tinted black Honda Accord when the police officer fired the fatal shot. However, Mr. Alade refuted these claims, asserting that only the rear glass was tinted and that the officers could see the occupants of the car.

Observations at the scene revealed that the junction where the incident occurred is often used by motorists to cut into the opposite lane, despite the official turning point being further down the road. A local vulcanizer, Saheed, noted that drivers frequently take this shortcut when the road is clear.

Taiwo, Kehinde’s twin, expressed his deep sorrow, stating, “I loved my brother so much. I miss him. How I wish he were still here with me.” Family members described the twins as inseparable.

Mrs. Peter Funmilayo, a neighbor who was in the car during the incident, recalled that one of the traffic officers opened the car door, saw the children, and closed it again. She emphasized that they were unaware of the armed policemen until the gunshot was fired.

Kehinde’s maternal aunt, Olabisi Animashaun, shared her shock upon learning of his death through a call from his mother. A family friend and church member, Fajobi Olumide, remembered Kehinde as a humble and talented drummer who had recently performed at a church service.

Dr. Segun Olaniyi of Welfare Hospital stated that Kehinde was brought in with a gunshot wound that had penetrated his abdomen, likely severing a major blood vessel. Despite efforts to stabilize him and transfer him to the University College Hospital, he was pronounced dead upon arrival.

Chief Onaolapo Adegbayi, the Baale of Adegbayi and a retired military officer, condemned the police officer’s actions, emphasizing that the appropriate response would have been to arrest Mr. Alade without resorting to shooting.

Human rights groups have called for justice. Debo Adeniran, National President of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, criticized the practice of ambushing motorists, labeling it a tactic for extortion. Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Clement Onwuenwunor, stated that traffic offenses are not capital crimes and that the officer should be tried for manslaughter.

Tiamiyu Ademola, Chairman of the National Association of Nigerian Students, Oyo State, issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the police to disclose the identity of the officer responsible for Kehinde’s death.