Protesters Demand Justice After Oyo Schoolboy Is Killed by Alleged Stray Police Bullet
Outrage grows in Ibadan as residents call for accountability following the death of a student allegedly shot during a police chase.
Hundreds of protesters gathered at the Oyo State Government Secretariat in Agodi, Ibadan, on Tuesday to demand justice for Taiwo, a secondary school student reportedly killed by a stray bullet fired by a police officer.
The protest was led by the deceased boy’s father, who recounted the circumstances surrounding the tragedy. According to eyewitnesses, the incident occurred in the Alakia area of Egbeda Local Government on the morning of May 20.
Witnesses alleged that the officer involved was part of a police team working with the Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority (OYRTMA). The officer had reportedly aimed at the tyre of a vehicle driven by a suspected internet fraudster but missed, hitting Taiwo instead.
The young boy was said to be sitting in the back seat of his father’s vehicle, alongside his twin brother, on their way to school when the bullet struck him.
He was initially rushed to a nearby hospital before being transferred to the University College Hospital (UCH), where he was later confirmed dead.
The protesters, visibly shaken and angry, carried placards and chanted calls for justice. They demanded accountability and a full investigation into the shooting, which has sparked widespread outrage across the community.
Addressing the demonstrators, the Executive Assistant to the Governor on Security, Sunday Odukoya — a former Commissioner of Police — assured the grieving family and protesters that the Oyo State Government would not allow the matter to be swept under the rug.
“We understand your pain and anger. The life of a child has been cut short, and we will ensure that justice is done,” Odukoya said. “There will be a thorough investigation, and anyone found culpable will face the full weight of the law.”
The tragic event has reignited public concern over police conduct and the use of firearms during law enforcement operations, particularly in densely populated civilian areas.
As of the time of reporting, the identity of the officer involved has not been made public, and the police command in Oyo State has yet to issue an official statement.
The protesters called on Governor Seyi Makinde to intervene and ensure a transparent and timely investigation into the incident.
