Odunayo Alade, father of Kehinde Alade — the teenager tragically killed by a stray police bullet — has opened up about the harrowing incident that took his son’s life. He said the tragedy occurred as he rushed one of his sons to sit for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
The shooting happened on Tuesday in the Gbagi area of Ibadan. According to Alade, he was taking a shortcut to avoid delay when police officers attempted to stop his vehicle.
A Shortcut Turns Fatal
Alade explained that the route he used was a common shortcut used by locals to connect to the main road.
“I was taking the children to school yesterday morning, and at the entrance of my junction, there’s a path — just a stone’s throw to the main lane,” he told News Central TV. “To my surprise, I saw OYTMA. They blocked me and even hit my vehicle. I reversed to bypass them.”
He denied allegations by the Oyo police command that he was driving against traffic and trying to evade arrest.
“I won’t say I took one-way because the place is a very short distance. This is the road the whole neighbourhood uses. It’s barely a pole away from the junction,” he said.
‘I Didn’t Want My Son to Miss His Exam’
Alade said his refusal to stop was driven by urgency — his older son was scheduled to sit for an important WASSCE paper by 8:30 a.m.
“You know how the Nigerian government works,” he said. “Once they get you, they’ll delay you unnecessarily. I didn’t want my son to be late for his exam. That’s why I tried to manoeuvre my way through.”
Gunfire and Tragedy
As he attempted to evade the traffic officials and police, a corporal reportedly fired shots at the vehicle. One of the bullets struck 17-year-old Kehinde, who was sitting in the back seat with his twin brother.
“I heard the gunshot, but I didn’t stop immediately,” Alade said. “It was when my son started screaming that I realised he had been hit.”
Kehinde later succumbed to the gunshot wound to his abdomen.
‘He Wanted to Be a Lawyer’
Alade said Kehinde had recently made a decision to switch from the science class to the arts, expressing a desire to become a lawyer.
“I can’t really say… it’s only God that knows how this happened,” he said, voice heavy with grief.
The incident has sparked outrage and renewed calls for police reform and accountability in Nigeria. An investigation into the shooting is reportedly underway.