The Oyo State Police Command says it is waiting to hear from the father of 14-year-old Kehinde Alade before concluding investigations into the teenager’s death.
Kehinde, a WASSCE candidate, was hit by a stray bullet on Tuesday while heading to his exam centre in the Gbagi-Alakia area of Ibadan. He later died from the gunshot wound.
Speaking at a joint press conference on Thursday, May 22, in Eleyele, Ibadan, the State Commissioner of Police, Johnson Adenola, said the interim report on the incident is ready.
However, he noted that a full account of events cannot be completed without a statement from the boy’s father, Odunayo Alade.
“The Inspector-General of Police has directed that the command conduct a thorough investigation, hence the need to secure the testimonies of the father of the deceased,” Adenola said.
He revealed that the officer who fired the shot is currently in custody and has already given his statement, as has one of the passengers who was in the car during the incident.
Adenola added, “Upon conclusion of the investigation, appropriate steps will be taken. We are keeping IGP Kayode Egbetokun informed of developments daily.
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“This tragic incident could have been avoided had the father complied with traffic regulations. Based on information available to us, Alade is a serial traffic offender and was arrested for traffic violations a few weeks ago.”
Also present at the briefing were the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, and the Chairman of the Oyo State Road Transport Management Agency (OYRTMA), Adekoya Adesagba.
Oyelade assured the public that the state government would ensure justice is served.
“Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration stands for justice. We will ensure that justice is served in this case,” he said.
OYRTMA Chairman Adesagba expressed concern over increasing traffic violations and the rising number of assaults on his officers.
“Our officers have suffered various injuries, including broken arms and legs. This has informed the decision to conduct joint patrol operations with the police to safeguard our personnel while on duty,” Adesagba said.