A stray bullet has killed a student who was heading to the examination centre to sit for the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination being organised by the West African Examination Council (WAEC) in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
The incident happened on Gbagi Market road in the Egbeda Local Government Area of the state when a stray bullet allegedly fired by a police officer in pursuit of a suspect hit and killed the student on Tuesday.
It was gathered that the student was on his way to write the examination in company with his sibling and father when the incident occurred.
It was learnt that the stray bullet was fired by a police officer who was pursuing a suspect.
The victim was immediately rushed to Welfare Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.
Our correspondent reports that some angry residents protested against the killing of the student.
One of the sources, simply identified as Ajani, said, “A police officer opened fire while chasing a fleeing vehicle. One of the bullets reportedly hit the student.
“The victim was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.”
Another witness said, “The deceased was on his way to the examination centre alongside his twin brother when the tragedy happened.”
The protesters took the student’s lifeless body to the Oyo State Government Secretariat, calling on Governor Seyi Makinde to intervene.
President of Save the Poor and Needy Charity Initiative (SPANCI), Comrade Yemi Ezekiel Bello, condemned the killing
Bello urged the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to investigate the matter.
He said, “Dear IGP and stakeholders, kindly investigate the above case as allegedly reported that a man was taking his children to school this morning and some alleged police officers and OYRTMA, while casing Yahoo boys, and others said while chasing traffic law offenders, started shooting indiscriminately and bullet hit this little boy and killed him.
“According to the report, it was confirmed that the officers conducted themselves unprofessionally which led to the death of this little boy whose father said he has been taking care of them and refused to remarry since their mother left 7 years ago.”
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Reacting, the state government commiserated with the family of the deceased.
The government described the incident as sad, shocking and painful.
The government, in a statement by the Special Adviser to Makinde on Media, Sulaimon Olanrewaju, promised to work with the state police command to investigate the matter and ensure that justice is served.
Olanrewaju noted that the incident was totally avoidable, noting how what started as a traffic offence, with the father of the slain boy driving against traffic, resulted in the loss of an innocent life.
The government urged residents to remain calm as the police and the government handle the situation, while it also warned residents against breaking traffic rules.
It clarified that contrary to claims that the incident occurred while the police were chasing a suspected internet fraudster, the incident actually occurred during a routine operation against traffic infraction, carried out by men of the state Road Traffic Maintenance Authority.
“OYRTMA officials in conjunction with a team from the police, embarked on the traffic operation on Alakia Old Road following complaints from residents over constant one-way traffic violations that have led to deaths and life-threatening injuries on the axis.
“The backup from the police became imperative following assaults on OYRTMA officials and a recent killing of one official in Ibadan by a traffic offender.
“The father of the slain boy drove a tinted black Honda Accord Car with registration number FST 639 JU against the traffic at around 7.30 a.m.
“It was during an attempt to apprehend the traffic offender that a policeman, who is already being investigated by the state police command, allegedly aimed a shot at one of the tyres of the car, which missed the target,” the government explained.
“We urge residents to stay calm while the police and the government work together to handle the situation. We also warn against breaking traffic rules,” the government added.
The government also promised to ensure justice is served and reassured the public that steps would be taken to prevent such a tragedy from happening again.