Outrage as stray bullet kills 14-year-old in Ibadan, “No excuse for the shots fired,” Netizens react

• Kehinde Alade, a 14-year-old student, was killed by a stray bullet during a traffic enforcement operation
• The Oyo State Government has extended its condolences to the victim’s family and confirmed that the incident is being investigated
• Nigerians are demanding justice, calling the incident an avoidable tragedy

Residents of the Alakia-Gbagi area in Ibadan, Oyo State, are mourning and outraged following the tragic death of 14-year-old Kehinde Alade, who was struck by a stray bullet fired by a police officer during a joint traffic enforcement operation with the Oyo State Traffic Management Authority (OYTMA).

The incident occurred on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, around 7:45 a.m., near the Airport Roundabout, where Kehinde was a passenger in his father's car.

According to a report, witnesses say his father, Odunayo Alade, was trying to escape arrest for driving against traffic when the police intervened.

One witness explained, “He was fleeing, and one of the officers shot at the tyre to stop the car, but the bullet hit the child instead.” 

The Oyo State Government expressed its sorrow over the incident, describing it as “sad, shocking and painful.” They also offered condolences to the Alade family and confirmed that the officer involved is currently under investigation. 

“The incident was totally avoidable,” stated the government. They clarified that the father's traffic violation prompted the police response, emphasising that this was a routine traffic enforcement operation and not related to any criminal chase.

The Oyo State Police Command has confirmed the death of Kehinde Alade and released a video of the incident. 

According to a statement released by SP Bright Odafe on his X account @Brightgoldenboy, accompanied with the video, the police expressed sorrow over the incident, emphasising the need for accountability. 

The announcement, titled "FATAL TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT INCIDENT INVOLVING OYTMA AND POLICE PERSONNEL,"  and E-signed by the Police Public Relations OfficerCSP Osifeso Adewale MNIPR, detailed the unfortunate circumstances surrounding Kehinde's death.

“At approximately 0745 hours, enforcement officers attempted to stop a black Honda Accord with a Lagos registration number driven by Odunayo Alade, Kehinde's father, who was allegedly going against traffic. Rather than yielding to the lawful directives, the driver allegedly accelerated towards the enforcement team, colliding with two OYTMA vehicles and a police patrol truck.” The statement explained. 

Further explaining the incident, it was stated that,

“In a desperate attempt to prevent further chaos and protect both officers and civilians, barricades were established to halt the fleeing vehicle. However, the driver broke through these barriers, driving recklessly and endangering lives. In light of the driver's erratic behaviour, officers suspected possible criminal activity or an abduction and initiated a police chase.”

“A police corporal discharged a firearm aimed at the tires to immobilise the vehicle. Tragically, the shot missed and struck Kehinde, who was in the rear seat behind the driver. He was rushed to the University College Hospital (UCH) but was sadly pronounced dead on arrival. His body has since been taken to the Adeoyo State Hospital mortuary for an autopsy.”

In response to the incident, the Commissioner of Police, CP Johnson Adenola, swiftly deployed tactical and intelligence units, including the Police Mobile Force (PMF), to restore calm and ensure public safety across strategic locations in Ibadan. 

“A comprehensive investigation into the incident has been ordered, led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID). The officer responsible for the fatal shot is currently in custody, and he, along with other team members, is cooperating fully with the investigation,” the statement read.

The Police Command has assured the public that the investigation process will be transparent and the findings will be made public.

The Oyo State Police Command extended its deepest condolences to Kehinde Alade's family, vowing to uphold justice and ensure accountability in the aftermath of this devastating incident.

However, with the video released concerning this incident, locals and human rights advocates are demanding accountability in what many see as an avoidable tragedy.

Nigerians react to viral video of Police shooting incident in Ibadan 

@styledbyzk wrote: “There's absolutely no excuse for the shots fired.”

@yourfavouriteshowman wrote: “When I started reading, I was initially thinking the man ran into barricades and the impacts caused his son to die, only to continue reading and saw that shots were fired??? How can you shoot at a traffic offender? Omg, warning shots are now targeted at tires?? It is clear that tried to shoot at the man but since his son was behind the driver's seat it hit the poor boy. The father did not do well yes, but use of guns?? They saw that it was just the man and his child in the car, why shoot?? The only risk of shooting eventually happened, killed an innocent child. So if it was truly a case of abduction, they would have killed the person they were trying to rescue?? Omg. People are going through a lot. That driver was going through a lot, it happens! There are better ways to have handled his disobedience, not firing shots.”

@nifemi8 wrote: “From my own point of view I think the man passed one way because of his child, they might have few minutes to the exam and he doesn't want him to be late and all but may his soul rest in peace.”

@koffy_12 wrote: ‘No matter what happened, they didn't deserve to be shot. Now a family has to live with this pain forever.”

@_edoeje wrote: “Why won't BP rate be high in Africa, especially in Nigeria. You wake up every day to all this type of news every day and you're expected to be normal.”

@ella_elle111 wrote: “So they shot because he followed one way I don't understand.”

@deronkebeauty wrote: ‘So because of One-Way now, Police had to shoot the vehicle and not on the air...Ah! See how disobedience and the force carelessness cut short the life of this young champ.”

@ojumitola wrote: “This video must have been after the shot. He was probably trying to save the boy's life.”

@beautytrapbar wrote: “That was after the shot! If they had allowed him run to the hospital maybe the boy would still be saved! They're trying to cover up with this video.”

@oluwaseun0429 wrote: “This video was recorded after the shot was fired. If you zoom in you can see the bullet went through the back of the car Boot Now the police are trying to cover it up again First they said they were chasing some boys and shot at them Now they're saying it was the boy's dad driving one way.”

@alluring_queens wrote: ‘The father and the police killed the boy.”

@barbie_pink_21 wrote: “So why shot ?? Can't they copy the plate number. I just wished something delayed the man at home this boy would have still be alive....this are one of d reasons I just want to question God because how can a little boy just Kpai like that.”

“What happened to gallantry?” Reactions pour in as woman knocks down police officer in heated fight

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that a woman overpowered a Nigerian police officer in an altercation, which quickly went viral across social media. 

The viral video led to heated public reactions,  while some supported the woman’s actions, others criticised the officer’s behaviour. Subsequently, the Nigerian Police Force reacted, reminding the public that failure to assist officers in distress could result in criminal charges.