Tragic Loss in Ibadan: Oyo Government Explains Circumstances of Student’s Death Amid Exam Rush

Oyo State government; In a heartbreaking incident that has shocked the residents of Ibadan and beyond, a student en route to his West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) centre tragically lost his life after being struck by a stray police bullet. The Oyo State government has responded with clarity, offering a detailed account of the events and promising that justice will be served.

The student, who was accompanied by his twin brother, was in a car driven by their father on the Gbagi Market Road in the early hours of the morning when the incident occurred. According to the official statement released by the Special Adviser on Media to Governor Seyi Makinde, Sulaimon Olanrewaju, the boy’s father was driving a tinted black Honda Accord with the registration number FST 639 JU against traffic—a violation that has become alarmingly common in the area.

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The government’s account reveals that the Oyo State Road Transport Management Authority (OYRTMA), in collaboration with a police task force, had been carrying out operations on Alakia Old Road due to an increasing number of traffic violations. These operations were prompted by community complaints citing regular one-way breaches, which had resulted in numerous injuries and fatalities.

In their attempt to curb this unlawful behaviour, officials reportedly attempted to stop the violators. During the effort to apprehend the driver—who was allegedly moving against the flow of traffic—a police officer fired a shot aimed at disabling the car by targeting its tyres. Tragically, the bullet missed and struck the student instead.

The boy was immediately rushed to Welfare Hospital but was declared dead on arrival, intensifying public outcry and sparking widespread grief across the city.

Olanrewaju emphasized that the government finds the incident “sad, shocking, and painful,” and lamented that such a loss of life, especially involving a student on his way to a crucial examination, was deeply regrettable and preventable. He assured the public that a thorough investigation is already underway and that the officer responsible is being investigated by the Oyo State Police Command.

A Call for Calm and Compliance

In addressing the public, the government urged calm and cooperation as investigations continue. They also reiterated the dangers of traffic violations, especially on roads like the Alakia Old Road and Gbagi Market axis, which have seen a surge in reckless driving.

“The backup from the police became imperative,” the statement read, “due to frequent assaults on OYRTMA officials and a recent incident where an official was killed by a traffic offender. These measures were not taken lightly but were necessitated by the threats faced by enforcement agents.”

The administration has made it clear that steps are being taken to review the enforcement strategy and avoid similar tragedies in the future. They also vowed to hold accountable anyone found culpable in the fatal shooting.

The tragic irony that a student preparing for an examination — a moment that represents hope and future — was instead met with violence, has struck a painful chord throughout Oyo State. As calls for justice grow louder, the public awaits concrete action from the authorities to ensure that such a devastating occurrence never happens again.

This devastating event serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between law enforcement and public safety, especially in high-tension scenarios like traffic operations. As the investigation unfolds, the people of Oyo State remain hopeful that accountability, justice, and reform will follow swiftly.