The grieving father of Kehinde Alade, a young student tragically killed by a stray police bullet in the Alakia area of Ibadan, Oyo State, has shared his heart-wrenching story. He revealed that his son aspired to be a lawyer before his untimely death.
Describing the experience of witnessing his son’s shooting as traumatic, the father explained that he was trying to avoid complications with the police, particularly as Kehinde’s brother was scheduled to take an important exam at 8:30 PM.
“I was taking the children to school yesterday morning. Just a short distance from my junction, my tire went flat. While I was fixing it, I saw a police vehicle block my path. I tried to reverse to avoid confrontation. However, another vehicle blocked me, and I attempted to maneuver out of the situation.”
When asked why the police were pursuing him, Mr. Alade stated, “I didn’t know. They claimed I was driving the wrong way, but I explained that it was a common route for the neighborhood—just a very short distance to the main junction. I didn’t realize they were trying to stop me until one officer struck my vehicle.”
Regarding why he didn’t stop, he said, “We all know how the Nigerian government operates. Once you fall into their traps, you are on your own. Plus, I didn’t want to delay my son’s brother, who was supposed to write his WAEC exam at 3:30 PM. That’s why I tried to escape. After I left, I heard a gunshot, but I didn’t stop. My son was shouting, but I thought we had already gotten away. His twin brother later told me he had been shot. When I learned that, I pulled over and got him out; the ground was soaked with blood. I didn’t realize the police were still pursuing me. I managed to flag down one of the officers, and another parent helped take my son to Welfare Hospital. They provided oxygen, and we transported him to UCH, but he succumbed before we arrived.”
“It’s unbearable for a parent to witness their child being shot. It’s a horrific experience. I visited the Governor’s office yesterday, and they promised to investigate. The Commissioner visited the crime scene today, but I have yet to receive any updates.”
Reflecting on his son’s aspirations, he said, “Just last week, Kehinde told me he wanted to be a lawyer. I had bought them science textbooks, but he lost interest in the sciences after the first term and decided to pursue arts instead.”
