The Oyo State Government has confirmed that the police officer who killed a secondary schoolboy during a routine traffic operation in Ibadan is currently under investigation.
The incident occurred on Alakia Old Road on Tuesday, in Ibadan, the state capital.
In a press release signed by Sulaimon Olanrewaju, Special Adviser (Media) to the Oyo State Governor, the government expressed its condolences to the bereaved family, describing the event as “sad, shocking and painful.”
The government emphasised that the incident was “totally avoidable,” explaining that it stemmed from a traffic violation committed by the father of the deceased, who was driving against traffic.
The statement noted that around 7:30 a.m., “the father of the slain boy was driving a tinted black Honda Accord car (registration number FST 639 JU) against traffic.
“During the attempt to apprehend him, a policeman — now under investigation — fired a shot aimed at one of the car’s tyres. The bullet missed the tyre but struck the student inside the vehicle, causing fatal injuries.”
The government clarified that contrary to circulating reports that the police were pursuing a suspected internet fraudster, the shooting “occurred during a routine crackdown on traffic violations by the Oyo State Road Traffic Maintenance Authority (OYRTMA), with police support.
“The operation was launched following complaints about frequent one-way traffic breaches along Alakia Old Road, which had previously resulted in deaths and serious injuries.
“The backup from the police became necessary after assaults on OYRTMA officials and the recent killing of one official by a traffic offender in Ibadan,” the statement noted.
It assured the public that it would work closely with the Oyo State Police Command to thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the tragic shooting and ensure accountability.
The tragedy had provoked anger with a mob carrying the boy’s corpse to the Oyo State Secretariat, staging a protest to demand justice and accountability from the government.
