Tragedy in Ibadan as police stray bullet kills WASSCE candidate

.Residents protest against incessant killings

.Oyo govt commiserates with family of slain student

.Sen. Sharafadeen Alli, others call for probe

 

JOSEPH OKWUOFU, Ibadan

 

Scores of aggrieved residents of Ibadan on Tuesday protested the gruesome killing of a student by a stray bullet allegedly fired by a trigger-happy policeman.

 

The policeman who could not be traced, was said to to pursuing Yahoo boys when he opened fire indiscriminately.

 

It was learnt that the policeman was in hot pursuit of an unregistered vehicle,  supposedly driven by some Yahoo boys, and opened fire on the vehicle and unfortunately, the bullet hit the student.

 

Notable Nigerians have sharply reacted to the dastardly killing,  and called for immediate probe into the killing.

 

The Acting Chairman,  Egbeda Traditional Council, Senator Sharafadeen Alli,  representing Oyo South Senatorial District , condemned the unprofessional conduct of the policeman.

 

Also, Hon. Akin Alabi,  member of the House of Representatives representing Egbeda/Ona-Ara Federal Constituency, strongly ccondemned the unfortunate incident and called for an immediate and transparent investigation by the Oyo State Police Command.

 

He further asked for identification and suspension of the officer involved, pending a full inquiry and support and justice for the grieving family.

 

They expressed deep sorrow and concern over the tragic killing of the young boy identified as Paul Alade.

 

“This is an extremely painful and avoidable tragedy. A young life, full of promise, has been lost in a senseless manner. As a representative of the people, I will not remain silent. I demand a full investigation and accountability from the security agencies involved,” Hon. Alabi stated.

 

In the ensuing confusion, the Government Secretariat,  Agodi Ibadan, the seat of power was thrown into panic and confusion when a mammoth crowd comprising students and artisans took over the premises of the Governor’s Office as they conveyed the lifeless body of the victim to the Secretariat.

 

They called on the State Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde to ensure that the culprit do not go unpunished, asking for justice over the death of the student.

 

The aggrieved protesters who defied all security apparatus mounted at the Governor’s Office, were seen pushing the lifeless body of the deceased on a stretcher, singing offensive songs against the authorities, especially the Nigeria Police.

 

Appealing to the protesting residents, the Oyo state Head of Service, Mrs Olubunmi Oni, who sympathized with the family of the deceased, assured the aggrieved protesters that no stone would be left unturned to ensure that those behind the killing of the student are brought to book.

 

The student was said to be writing the ongoing West African Examinations Council (WAEC), and was on his way to exam centre in company of his father and sibling when he was hit by the stray bullet around Gbagi market road in the early hours of Tuesday.

 

The victim was immediately rushed to a nearby medical facility, but was pronounced dead on ararrival.

 

The President of Save the Poor and Needy Charity Initiative (SPANCI), Comrade Yemi Ezekiel Bello, condemned the killing .

 

Bello urged the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to investigate the matter.

 

He said, “Dear IGP and stakeholders, kindly investigate the above case as allegedly reported that a man was taking his children to school this morning and some alleged police officers and OYRTMA, while chasing Yahoo boys, and others started shooting indiscriminately and bullet hit this little boy and killed him.

 

“According to the report, it was confirmed that the officers conducted themselves unprofessionally which led to the death of this little boy whose father said he has been taking care of since their mother left him seven years ago.”

.Oyo govt commiserates with family of slain student

The Oyo State Government has commiserated with the family of a secondary school boy slain during a Routine Traffic Infraction Operation on Alakia Old Road, Ibadan, describing the incident as sad, shocking and painful.

It stated that the state government would work with the Oyo State Police Command to investigate the matter and ensure that justice is served.

The government noted that the incident was totally avoidable, noting how what started as a traffic offence, with the father of the slain boy driving against traffic, resulted in the loss of an innocent life.
It charged residents to remain calm as the police and the government handle the situation, while it also warned residents against breaking traffic rules.

The state government clarified that contrary to claims that the incident occurred while the police were chasing a suspected internet fraudster, the incident actually occurred during a routine operation against traffic infraction, carried out by men of the Oyo State Road Traffic Maintenance Authority (OYRTMA).
According to the government, OYRTMA officials in conjunction with a team from the police, embarked on the traffic operation on Alakia Old Road following complaints from residents over constant one-way traffic violations that have led to deaths and life-threatening injuries on the axis.

It explained that the backup from the police became imperative following assaults on OYRTMA officials and a recent killing of one official in Ibadan by a traffic offender.

The government maintained that the father of the slain boy drove a tinted black Honda Accord Car with registration number FST 639 JU against the traffic at around 7.30 a.m.

It noted that it was during an attempt to apprehend the traffic offender that a policeman, who is already being investigated by the Oyo State Police Command, allegedly aimed a shot at one of the tyres of the car, which missed the target according to a statement signed bySulaimon Olanrewaju Special Adviser (Media) to Oyo State Governor.