The Oyo State Police Command has attributed the delay in concluding its investigation into the killing of 14-year-old Kehinde Alade to the absence of a key witness testimony.
Kehinde was fatally struck by a stray bullet fired by a police officer in the Gbagi-Alakia area of Egbeda Local Government, Ibadan, on Tuesday. The incident has sparked public outrage and demands for accountability.
At a press briefing on Thursday, the State Commissioner of Police, Johnson Adenola, disclosed that while an interim report on the incident has been compiled, a comprehensive report remains pending due to the unavailability of a testimony from the deceased’s father, Odunayo Alade.
According to Adenola, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has mandated a thorough investigation, necessitating the father’s account. He confirmed that the officer who discharged the fatal shot is in custody and has cooperated with investigators, as has a passenger who was present in the vehicle during the incident.
While expressing sympathy, Adenola pointed to what he described as a history of traffic violations by Mr. Alade. “This tragic incident could have been avoided had the father of the deceased complied with traffic rules,” he claimed. “Alade has, according to our records, been a serial offender, having been arrested for traffic violations just weeks prior.”
Joining Adenola at the briefing were Oyo State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Dotun Oyelade, and the Chairman of the Oyo State Road Transport Management Authority (OYRTMA), Major Adekoya Adesagba (retd).
Oyelade reassured the public that the state government remains committed to justice. “What Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration stands for is justice. We will ensure that justice is served in this matter,” he said, adding that the government would also intensify training for police officers on firearms handling and community relations.
OYRTMA Chairman Adesagba raised concerns over a spike in traffic violations and the safety of agency personnel. He reported eight cases of assault on OYRTMA officers this year, some resulting in serious injuries such as broken limbs. He called for enhanced security measures and joint patrols with police officers.
The case remains under active investigation as the state seeks to balance justice, public safety, and institutional accountability.
