Father of Schoolboy Allegedly Killed by Policeman Narrates How Tragic Incident Happened in Ibadan

• A policeman allegedly shot a secondary school boy to death during a routine traffic operation in Ibadan, Oyo state capital
• The tragic incident occurred in the morning of Tuesday, May 20, 2025, while the father was driving his children to school
• The heartbroken father, Odunayo Alade, has narrated how the unfortunate incident happened in the Alakia area of Ibadan

Legit.ng journalist Adekunle Dada has over 8 years of experience covering metro, government policy, and international issues

Ibadan, Oyo state - Odunayo Alade, the father of the boy, Taiwo, who was killed by a bullet from a police officer in the Alakia area of Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, has narrated how the tragic incident happened.

Alade said he was in his car with his children when the police hit his vehicle from behind, and a police officer shot at his vehicle.

The heartbroken father said he didn't notice that the bullet hit his son until his son's siblings brought it to his attention.

According to Alade, the police bullet penetrated his son's stomach and came out from the other side of his body.

Speaking with BBC News Pidgin with tears streaming down his eyes, Alade said:

“I was in the car with the boy and his brother this morning in the Alakia area. In the process, the police hit my car in the back. While still in a state of confusion and reversing my car, suddenly, one police officer in the area just shot at my vehicle.

“Before I knew what was going on, the police bullet hit Taiwo. I didn’t even take note, but his brothers called my attention to the fact that blood was gushing out of his body.

“We rushed him to one hospital but the bullet had penetrated his stomach and come out from the other side.”

Alade said he had been caring for Taiwo and his brothers since their mother left several years ago.

Oyo police: Bullet meant for tyres killed boy

Meanwhile, the Oyo state police command has responded to the tragic incident involving the fatal shooting of 15-year-old Kehinde Alade during a traffic enforcement operation in Ibadan.

According to a statement by the police spokesperson, CSP Adewale Osifeso, the incident occurred on Tuesday, May 20, near the Airport Roundabout in the Alakia area. The police alleged that the driver, Odunayo Alade, Kehinde's father, was driving against traffic and attempted to evade arrest, colliding with two Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority (OYTMA) vehicles and a police patrol truck. In an attempt to stop the vehicle, an officer discharged his firearm, aiming at the car's tyres. Tragically, the bullet struck Kehinde, who was en route to sit for his West African Examinations Council (WAEC) paper.

The police command added that the officer responsible for the shooting, along with other members of the enforcement team, has been arrested. Legit.ng gathers that the state commissioner of police, Johnson Adenola, has ordered a comprehensive investigation led by the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID).

The police extended their condolences to the bereaved family and assured the public of a transparent inquiry.

"The Command remains resolute in its commitment to upholding justice and ensuring accountability. Further updates will be communicated as the investigation progresses," the statement read in part.

Expert calls for non-lethal policing, mental checks

Reacting to the killing of the schoolboy in Ibadan, police reform and conflict management expert Ekweonu Henry called for urgent changes in Nigeria’s policing system.

“There has been a concerning trend in the use of force within policing, particularly in West Africa, a phenomenon many attribute to the legacy of military rule in the region. Nigeria, unfortunately, reflects this trend,” he told Legit.ng.

He noted that although the student's father appeared to be evading arrest, officers should have applied "non-kinetic approaches that would prevent the escalation to the use of firearms.”

He stressed that the incident shows the need for proper vehicle documentation and clear identification of car owners:

“If robust systems for documenting vehicles and understanding ownership were in place, this unfortunate incident could have been avoided, and the individual involved may have received a ticket rather than being pursued.”

Key recommendations for safe policing

While maintaining that reforms must begin with institutional support, Ekweonu said officers should be trained in:

“Non-kinetic approaches to policing, which includes the use of non-lethal weapons such as batons, pepper spray, and rubber bullets. It is concerning that the standard issue weapon for many officers remains the AK-47, which is not appropriate for routine policing in civilian environments.”

Henry also called for “establishing protocols for psychological evaluations and providing psychosocial support,” emphasising the importance of assessing officers’ mental readiness before deployment.

The reform expert further stressed the need for “adequate funding for the procurement of non-lethal weapons and supporting resources,” noting that it requires committed government investment to ensure effective implementation.

According to him:

“Beyond the public discourse and investigations related to the recent tragedy, it is crucial to address the long-neglected welfare of law enforcement personnel, who play an essential role in safeguarding society.”

He expressed hope that with the right reforms, Nigeria can build a policing system that ensures safety, accountability, and prevents similar tragedies.

Oyo govt reacts as policemen kill schoolboy in Ibadan

Earlier, the Oyo state government confirmed that the police officer who fatally shot a secondary schoolboy during a routine traffic operation in Ibadan had been put under investigation.

In a statement by Sulaimon Olanrewaju, the special adviser on media to Governor Seyi Makinde, the government described the incident as “sad, shocking and painful”, adding that it was something that could have been avoided.

The incident has sparked widespread outrage, with many Nigerians calling for justice and reforms to prevent such occurrences in the future.

Benue policeman reportedly kills final-year student

In another report, a Nigerian university student, Ahenjir Emmanuella, was fatally shot by a stray bullet allegedly fired by police officers during a stop-and-search operation at the Wurukum roundabout in Makurdi, the capital of Benue state.

The incident reportedly occurred when officers from the Benue state police command were conducting routine checks at the busy intersection.

Witnesses said police opened fire on a vehicle after the driver reportedly failed to stop, hitting Emmanuella, who was inside the car.

Head of the politics and current affairs desk, Nurudeen Lawal, contributed the police's reaction to this report.

Editorial assistant Ololade Olatimehin provided exclusive commentary from a police reform expert for this report.

Source: Legit.ng