Some youths in Ibadan on Tuesday staged a protest at the Oyo State Government Secretariat over the killing of a student by a stray bullet allegedly fired by a police officer.
The student, who was said to be writing the ongoing West African Examinations Council (WAEC) examination, was reportedly hit by a stray bullet around Gbagi Market Road in the early hours of Tuesday.
According to eyewitness accounts, the victim was on his way to write the examination in the company of his sibling and father when the incident occurred.
Afrocover gathered that the bullet was fired by a police officer who was reportedly pursuing a suspect at the time of the incident.
The student was rushed to Welfare Hospital but was confirmed dead on arrival.
The development triggered outrage among residents, particularly youths, who carried the lifeless body of the student to the Oyo State Government Secretariat, calling on Governor Seyi Makinde to intervene and ensure justice.
However, president of the Save the Poor and Needy Charity Initiative (SPANCI), Comrade Yemi Ezekiel Bello, condemned the incident in a statement issued on Tuesday.
He called on the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to launch an investigation into the matter.
According to him, “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 chasing 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.”
As of the time of filing this report, the Oyo State Police Command is yet to issue an official statement on the incident.
