A group of youths staged a protest on Tuesday at the Oyo State Government Secretariat in Ibadan, following the death of a student who was reportedly killed by a stray bullet allegedly fired by a police officer.
According to Daily post, the victim, a student sitting for the ongoing West African Examinations Council (WAEC) exams, was said to be heading to his exam center with his father and sibling when the tragic incident occurred near Gbagi Market Road in the early hours of the day.
Sources revealed that the bullet was fired during a police chase of a suspect. The student was rushed to Welfare Hospital but was confirmed dead on arrival.
In response to the incident, angry residents and youths carried the deceased’s body to the state secretariat, demanding justice and calling on Governor Seyi Makinde to intervene immediately.
President of the Save the Poor and Needy Charity Initiative (SPANCI), Comrade Yemi Ezekiel Bello, condemned the killing and urged the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to initiate a thorough investigation.
“Dear IGP and stakeholders, kindly investigate this case. Reports indicate that a father was taking his children to school when some police officers and OYRTMA operatives, while allegedly pursuing internet fraud suspects or traffic offenders, began shooting indiscriminately. A bullet struck this young boy and killed him,” Bello said.
He added that the father, a single parent caring for his children since his wife left seven years ago, was devastated by the loss.
As of the time of this report, the Oyo State Police Command has not issued an official statement regarding the incident.