On the morning of May 20th 2025, a tragic incident happened in Ibadan, Oyo state, when a secondary school student going to sit for the West Africa Examinations Council (WAEC) exams was fatally struck by a stray bullet allegedly fired by a police officer.
The incident occurred around Gbagi market road in the Alaakia area of Ibadan during a police pursuit of a vehicle suspected to be operated by internet fraudsters, commonly referred to as “Yahoo Boys”.
According to eyewitness, the student was traveling with his father and twin brother when police officers, reportedly in pursuit of a suspect, opened fire. One of the bullets missed its intended target and hit the student, who was in his father`s car. The victim was rushed to Welfare Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.
The student`s untimely death sparked immediate outrage within the community.
Protesters, including local residents and students, carried the student`s lifeless body to the Oyo State Government Secretariat expressing their frustration over the recurring issues of stray bullets affecting innocent lives, and calling for Governor Seyi Makinde`s intervention.
Human rights organizations and community leaders have condemned the incident.
In responds to the incident, the Oyo state police command has launched an investigation to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the shooting. The police have pledge to conduct a thorough inquiry to determine culpability and prevent future occurrences of such tragic events.
As of now, the Oyo State Police Command has not released an official statement regarding the incident. The community continues to mourn loss of a promising student, with calls for justices and police reform growing louder.
The incident emphasizes the urgent need for improved protocols and training within law enforcement agencies to ensure the safety of civilians, particularly students, during police operations. It also highlight the importance of community engagement and transparent investigations to restore public trust in security institutions.
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