From Okwe Obi, Abuja
A legal body, Citizens’ Gavel has protested against killing of a 14-year-old boy by officers of the Oyo State Traffic Management Agency (OYTMA) and the Nigeria Police in Ibadan.
The Gavel’s Legal Consultant, Funmi Adedoyin, in a statement, said what happened was not just a tragic incident, but an example of the unchecked police brutality that continues to plague the country.
Adedoyin argued that a traffic violation should never be a death sentence, stating that law enforcement officers have shown “reckless disregard for human life, especially the life of a child whose only crime” was being in the wrong car at the wrong time.”
She emphasized that justice must not only be done, it must be seen to be done to serve as a deterrent to others.
“Citizens Gavel strongly condemns the brutal killing of a 14-year-old boy by officers of the Oyo State Traffic Management Agency (OYTMA) and the Nigeria Police in Ibadan.
“The young boy, who was enroute to write his WAEC examination, was fatally shot after the vehicle driven by his father allegedly violated a one-way traffic rule. In what can only be described as a gross abuse of power, the officers opened fire on the vehicle, leading to the boy’s death.
“The driver may have violated a traffic rule, but the punishment meted out was nothing short of extrajudicial murder.
“This is not just a tragic incident, it is a glaring example of the unchecked police brutality that continues to plague our country.
“A traffic violation should never be a death sentence. Yet again, law enforcement officers have shown reckless disregard for human life, especially the life of a child whose only “crime” was being in the wrong car at the wrong time.
“Nigeria has witnessed far too many cases of trigger-happy officers turning routine enforcement into deadly encounters. From checkpoints to traffic control, law enforcement in this country too often resorts to violence, with little accountability.
“While we acknowledge the swift order by the Commissioner of Police to investigate the matter and put the perpetrators on trial, we emphasize that justice must not only be done, it must be seen to be done.
“We call on the Commissioner of Police to ensure that the process is transparent, thorough, and devoid of cover-ups or undue influence. The officers involved must be held fully accountable under the law, without delay or excuses.
“The loss of this young boy is a painful reminder of how broken our policing system remains. His future was stolen in a split second by those who were meant to protect him. The least the system can now do is deliver justice, fully and publicly.
“Citizens’ Gavel stands with the grieving family and the people of Ibadan. We will closely monitor the investigation and hold authorities accountable every step of the way. This culture of violence and impunity must end,” she said.