Mixed reactions have continued to trail the killing of a 14-year-old teenager, Kehinde Alade, in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

UGAMATV reports that Alade, who was said to be going for the ongoing West African Examination Council (WAEC), was hit by a stray bullet fired by a policeman.

The incident occurred around Gbagi market, Tuesday morning.

The innocent boy was immediately rushed to the hospital, but was pronounced dead on arrival.

Our correspondent reports that the death of the innocent boy prompted some youths in Ibadan to stage a protest at the Oyo State Government Secretariat on Tuesday.

The protesters took the lifeless body of the student to the Oyo State Secretariat, calling on Governor Seyi Makinde to intervene.

The Egbeda Local Government Traditional Council, in a statement, urged the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to launch an investigation panel over the matter.

The council, in a statement signed by Ekaarun Balogun of Ibadanland and Acting Chairman, Egbeda Local Government Traditional Council, High Chief (Senator) Sharafadeen Alli, said it received with deep shock and sorrow the devastating news of the killing of the student.

“The Egbeda Local Government Traditional Council has received with deep shock and sorrow the devastating news of the killing of a Senior Secondary School 3 (SS3) student by a stray bullet allegedly fired by a police officer during a wild chase of a traffic offender within our community today.

“This unfortunate incident is a tragic loss, not just to the bereaved family, but to our entire traditional council and the future of our society. As a council, we condemn in strong terms the reckless use of firearms in civilian areas, particularly in school zones and residential communities.

“The life of every citizen, especially our children, must be treated as sacred. It is unacceptable that a child, filled with dreams and potential, would be cut down in such a senseless and avoidable manner. We call on the Nigeria Police Force and all relevant authorities to launch a thorough and transparent investigation into this tragic incident.

“The officer responsible must be identified and made to face the full wrath of the law. We also demand that appropriate compensation and support be provided to the bereaved family, whose pain and loss cannot be quantified.

“Furthermore, we urge security agencies to retrain and sensitise their personnel on the responsible handling of firearms and the need for utmost caution and professionalism in the discharge of their duties. No pursuit or operation should be worth the life of an innocent citizen.

“On behalf of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty Oba Owolabi Olakunlehin and the entire Egbeda Local Government Traditional Council, I extend our heartfelt condolences to the grieving family and the school community. May the soul of the departed rest in perfect peace, and may such a tragedy never befall our land again,” it stated.

Security agents act unprofessionally – SPANCI

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

Bello noted that the security agents conducted themselves unprofessionally.

Bello, in the statement, urged the Inspector General of Police to investigate the matter.

He said, “Dear IGP and stakeholders k,indly investigate the above case as reported that a man was taking his children to school this morning a, nd some alleged police officers and OYRTMA w, hile chasing Yahoo boys and traffic law offenders s, tarted shooting indiscriminately a, nd 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 had been taking care of them and refused to remarry since their mother left 7 years ago”.

Incident occurred during a routine operation against traffic infraction – Oyo government

Oyo State Government, in its reaction, noted that the incident occurred during a routine operation against traffic infraction contrary to speculations.

The government used the opportunity to commiserate with the family of the innocent boy.

The state government, in a statement signed by the Special Adviser to Governor Seyi Makinde, Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, noted that the incident was avoidable.

It also said that 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 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 that 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 urged residents to remain calm as the police and the government handled the situation, while it also warned residents against breaking traffic rules.

CP orders comprehensive investigation into the incident- Police

The State Police Command, in its reaction, noted that the Commissioner of Police has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the incident.

It added that the investigation panel is being headed by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID).

Public Relations Officer of the state Police command, Adewale Osifeso, in a statement, said that the officer responsible for the discharge of the firearm has been taken into custody and, along with other members of the team, is cooperating fully with the ongoing investigation.

He added that the command assures the public that the process will be transparent and the findings made public.

“The Oyo State Police Command regrets to inform the general public of a tragic incident that occurred during a joint traffic enforcement operation with the Oyo State Traffic Management Authority (OYTMA), which led to the unfortunate death of a 14-year-old male, Kehinde Alade.

“At approximately 0745 hours on May 20th, 2025, along the Airport Roundabout, Alakia-Adelubi/Airport Road, Egbeda Local Government Area, an enforcement team comprising OYTMA officers and personnel of the Oyo State Police Command attempted to stop a black Honda Accord (LAGOS registration number FST 639 JJ), driven by one Odunayo Alade, m (father of the deceased young male) w, who was found to be driving against traffic (one-way).

“Rather than complying with lawful directives, the driver allegedly accelerated towards the enforcement team in an attempt to evade arrest, ramming into two OYTMA vehicles and a Police Buffalo Patrol truck.

To prevent further damage and harm to officers and other road users, barricades were set up to immobilize the fleeing vehicle.

“However, the driver reportedly broke through these barricades, continuing to drive recklessly and endangering lives. Given the nature of the driver’s conduct, officers suspected possible criminal activity or a case of abduction.

“A police chase ensued. In an attempt to immobilize the vehicle, a police corporal discharged a firearm aimed at the tyres. Tragically, the bullet missed and struck Kehinde Alade, 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. The deceased’s body has been deposited at the Adeoyo State Hospital mortuary for autopsy and preservation.

“To forestall any threat to public peace, the Commissioner of Police, CP Johnson Adenola, psc, immediately deployed tactical and intelligence units, including the Police Mobile Force (PMF), to the scene and other strategic locations in Ibadan. This swift response restored calm, ensured public safety, and allowed for normal activities to resume.

The Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in its reaction, described the incident as unfortunate.

The party, in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Wasiu Olawale Sadare, called for the usage of technology in tracking traffic offenders.

Oyo APC decried the alleged unprofessional and unethical conduct of some officials of the OYRTMA and Park Management System, who constitute a nuisance to motorists and other road users, particularly in Ibadan and other major cities across the state, in the guise of generating revenue for the government.

“The killing of the innocent schoolboy by an overzealous policeman in Ibadan on Tuesday was not only unfortunate but also sad and devastating, given the circumstances surrounding the whole incident.

“Sad enough, the reaction which came from the state government added insult upon injury as the official statement, believed to have been issued by Gov. Makinde’s media handlers, blamed the father of the slain boy solely for the incident.

“Oyo state government, by its reaction to the killing incident, failed to accept blame as it failed in the responsibility of protecting the lives and property of the residents.

“Also, some OYRTMA, VIO, nd PMS officials who unleash terror on drivers of private and commercial vehicles need to be checked by the state government as the situation is getting worse every day
“Moreover, it is high time Gov. Makinde partnered with relevant experts and technologies to curtail the excesses of motorists without employing brutal force and high-handedness as being witnessed at the moment,” the party stated.