Tragedy struck in the Gbagi area of Ibadan, Oyo State, on Monday when a 15-year-old boy, Kehinde Taiwo, was shot and killed by a stray bullet allegedly fired by a police officer during a high-speed chase. Taiwo, a secondary school student, was on his way to sit for a West African Examinations Council (WAEC) paper when the incident occurred.
Taiwo was in the back seat of a car being driven by his father, alongside his twin brother, as they headed to the exam venue. The situation took a fatal turn when a police officer reportedly discharged his firearm while attempting to stop a driver who was fleeing arrest.
The bullet pierced through the car’s back seat, striking Taiwo in his lower body. Despite being rushed to a private hospital in Alakia and later transferred to the University College Hospital (UCH) in Ibadan, the teenager was pronounced dead on arrival.
“I couldn’t believe that my son is dead. We left home together, full of life and assurance that he would excel in his exams,” the heartbroken father said. “Now, I am carrying his lifeless body around town. I was informed that the officer was chasing a driver who allegedly evaded arrest. But that should not justify my son’s death.”
Taiwo’s twin brother, visibly shaken, recounted the moment: “We were sitting together in the back seat when we heard gunshots from behind. I was shocked to see blood oozing from my brother’s side. I thought he could be saved, but it was too late.”
Angry residents and protesters took to the streets, carrying Taiwo’s remains to the Governor’s Office secretariat to demand justice. They were addressed by Sunday Odukoya, the Executive Assistant on Security Matters to the governor, who assured them that a thorough investigation would be carried out.
At the Oyo State House of Assembly, lawmakers described the killing as “painful and unwarranted.” Deputy Leader Olasunkanmi Babalola raised the matter during a plenary session and urged swift action from the Commissioner of Police. The Assembly also called for mental health and financial support for Taiwo’s grieving family and proposed launching a state-wide campaign to educate the public on police behavior and citizens’ rights.
Meanwhile, Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer, Adewale Osifeso, said the shooting happened during a joint operation with Oyo State Traffic Management Authority (OYTMA). According to him, the vehicle that Taiwo was in had allegedly driven against traffic and rammed into enforcement vehicles while attempting to escape.
Osifeso said: “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.
“In an effort to prevent further damage and harm to officers and other road users, barricades were set up to demobilize the fleeing vehicle.
“However, the driver reportedly broke through these barricades, continuing to drive recklessly and endangering lives.
“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 ‘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.”
“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.”
