The Oyo State Police Command has arrested one of its officers who accidentally shot and killed Kehinde Alade, a 14-year-old secondary school student, in Ibadan on Tuesday.
Daily Sun reported that the officer, in pursuit of a fleeing vehicle along the busy Gbagi Market Road, opened fire, and the victim was hit by a stray bullet.
Sharing an update in a statement issued in Ibadan, the command’s spokesperson, CSP Adewale Osifeso, disclosed that the officer responsible for the discharge had been taken into custody alongside others on his team.
Osifeso added that a comprehensive investigation into the incident had been ordered by the Commissioner of Police (CP), Johnson Adenola.
“The investigation will be led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID),” Osifeso stated.
He said that the officer is cooperating fully with the ongoing investigation and assured that the probe would be transparent, with the findings made public.
Sharing information on the tragedy, Osifeso revealed that 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.
“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 expressed the command’s deepest condolences to the family of the deceased while emphasizing its commitment to upholding justice and ensuring accountability.