A tragic incident in Ibadan has sparked outrage and protests after a student was reportedly killed by a stray bullet allegedly fired by a police officer. The student, who was heading to write his West African Examinations Council (WAEC) paper, was accompanied by his father and sibling when the unfortunate event occurred.
The incident happened near Gbagi Market Road, where police officers were said to be chasing a suspect. In the process, a bullet hit the student. He was immediately rushed to Welfare Hospital but was sadly confirmed dead on arrival.
In response to the incident, angry youths took to the streets and stormed the Oyo State Government Secretariat in protest. Carrying the student’s lifeless body, they demanded justice and called for Governor Seyi Makinde to take urgent action.
The President of the Save the Poor and Needy Charity Initiative (SPANCI), Comrade Yemi Ezekiel Bello, strongly condemned the killing and urged the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to launch an immediate investigation.
“Dear IG 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 officials, while chasing Yahoo boys, and traffic law offenders, started shooting indiscriminately and a 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 them and refused to remarry since their mother left seven years ago.”
This heartbreaking incident has raised fresh concerns about police conduct and the handling of firearms in public spaces, especially in civilian-populated areas.
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