How 14-Year-Old Student And Over 17,000 Nigerians Died By Stray Bullet In The Last Five Years

On Tuesday, 20th May 2025, a tragic incident occurred in Ibadan, Oyo State, where a student heading to write his West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) was killed by a stray bullet.

The incident happened along Gbagi Market Road in Egbeda Local Government Area. According to eyewitnesses, the shooting of the student occurred at the Ibadan Airport Junction, Alakia, along Old Ife Road.

According to a commercial motorcyclist, Dauda Oseni, the deceased, with his twin brother, was in his father’s car on his way to write his final West African Secondary School Certificate Examination paper when the incident happened.

Following the incident, angry traders and sympathisers carried the student’s body to the Oyo State Secretariat in protest, demanding justice and condemning the actions of the police officers involved.

What The Government Is Saying About This Incident

The Oyo State Police Command in a statement confirmed the incident and informed the public about a tragic killing of 14-year-old Kehinde Alade, who was struck by a stray bullet during a joint traffic enforcement operation with the Oyo State Traffic Management Authority (OYTMA) on Tuesday, May 20, 2025.

According to the statement, “At approximately 0745 hours on May 20th, 2025, along the Airport Roundabout, Alakia-Adelubi/Airport Road, Egbeda Local Government Area, an enforcement team comprising OYTMA officers and personnel of the Oyo State Police Command attempted to stop a black Honda Accord (LAGOS registration number FST 639 JJ), driven by one Odunayo Alade,’m’ (father of the deceased young male) who was found to be driving against traffic (one-way).

Rather than complying with lawful directives, the driver allegedly accelerated towards the enforcement team in an attempt to evade arrest, ramming into two OYTMA vehicles and a Police Buffalo Patrol truck.”

“In an effort to prevent further damage and harm to officers and other road users, barricades were set up to demobilize the fleeing vehicle. However, the driver reportedly broke through these barricades, continuing to drive recklessly and endangering lives.”

“Given the nature of the driver’s conduct, officers suspected possible criminal activity or a case of abduction. A police chase ensued. In an attempt to immobilize the vehicle, a police corporal discharged a firearm aimed at the tyres. Tragically, the bullet missed and struck Kehinde Alade ‘m’, who was seated in the rear seat behind the driver. He was immediately rushed to the University College Hospital (UCH), where he was confirmed dead on arrival. The deceased’s body has been deposited at the Adeoyo State Hospital mortuary for autopsy and preservation.”

“To forestall any threat to public peace, the Commissioner of Police, CP Johnson Adenola, psc, immediately deployed tactical and intelligence units, including the Police Mobile Force (PMF), to the scene and other strategic locations in Ibadan. This swift response restored calm, ensured public safety, and allowed for normal activities to resume.”

“The Commissioner of Police has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the incident, to be led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID). The officer responsible for the discharge of the firearm has been taken into custody and, along with other members of the team, is cooperating fully with the ongoing investigation. The Command assures the public that the process will be transparent and the findings made public.”

“The Oyo State Police Command extends its deepest condolences to the family of Kehinde Alade. The Command remains resolute in its commitment to upholding justice and ensuring accountability. Further updates will be communicated as the investigation progresses.”

Cases Of Killings By Trigger Happy Police Men And What Happened To Them

Emeka Odogwu

On the 7th of December 2024, a tragic incident unfolded in Ozoro community, Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State, as 17-year-old Emeka Odogwu was shot dead by a police officer during a confrontation. The officers were said to have approached Emeka after discovering that he was in possession of fireworks, locally referred to as “knockouts.”

Eyewitnesses reported that Emeka resisted arrest, and as he attempted to flee the scene, one of the policemen opened fire, fatally hitting the teenager. The incident, which occurred late on Saturday night, quickly sparked outrage in the community.

The police officer who shot Emeka Odogwu was identified, arrested, and detained by the Delta State Police Command. The Commissioner of Police assured the victim’s family that justice would be served, and continued with the investigation. 

 Gafaru Buraimoh

On December 6, 2022, Gafaru Buraimoh, a resident of Happy Land Estate in Ajah, was tragically killed by a stray bullet fired by a police inspector attached to the Ajah Police Division. The incident occurred around 10:00 p.m. as Buraimoh was exiting SkyMall near the Ajiwe area.

The fatal shooting happened during a police raid targeting black market fuel dealers at a local gas station. According to Buraimoh’s brother, Muyideen, tensions escalated when officers attempted to seize fuel from one of the black marketers, who resisted. “His resistance angered the officers who started shooting indiscriminately,” he said.

Confirming the incident, Lagos State Police spokesperson SP Benjamin Hundeyin stated, “At about 2330hrs (11:30p.m) of Tuesday, December 6, 2022, a shooting incident involving men of Ajah Division, resulted in the unfortunate death of Gafaru Buraimoh of Happy Land Estate, Ajah.”

The officer responsible, a police inspector, was immediately disarmed and taken into custody. SP Hundeyin confirmed the full-scale investigation. However, the identity of the officer has not been disclosed.

Tina Ezekwe 

In May 2020, 17-year-old Tina Ezekwe was shot by a reportedly intoxicated police officer attempting to disperse a crowd after a bus driver refused to pay a bribe. Tina succumbed to her injuries two days later. The incident sparked widespread outrage, but information on the prosecution or punishment of the officer involved is limited. 

Ibuchim Ofezie 

Seventeen-year-old trader Ibuchim Ofezie was killed by police officers chasing a commercial motorcycle rider through a market in Jos. The officers fired shots that struck Ofezie. Although the officers were arrested and the police command promised disciplinary measures, reports indicate that four of the five officers were later released without charges, and the victim’s family received ₦3 million for burial expenses. 

Monsurat Ojuade

Eighteen-year-old Monsurat Ojuade was shot during a police raid in Lagos. The officer responsible was dismissed and faced murder charges. Details about the trial’s outcome remain scarce.

What Does The Law Say About Police Officers Shooting At Will

Section 33(1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria guarantees every individual the right to life and stipulates that no one shall be deprived of life intentionally, except in execution of a court sentence or in defense of oneself or others against unlawful violence.

Force Order 237, the Nigeria Police Force’s internal directive, outlines specific scenarios where the use of firearms is permissible. These include situations where:

• An officer faces an imminent threat of death or serious injury and no other means are available to avert the danger.
• Defending another person from an attack posing imminent death or serious injury.
• Dispersing violent assemblies when there’s an imminent threat of death or serious injury, and less extreme measures are insufficient.
• Preventing the escape of a person who poses an imminent threat of death or serious injury to the police or others.

Importantly, Force Order 237 explicitly prohibits:

• Firing warning shots.
• Shooting at or from moving vehicles.
• Pointing firearms at individuals without just cause.

Therefore, discharging firearms at unarmed civilians without a clear, lawful justification is considered unlawful under Nigerian law. Such actions can lead to disciplinary measures, including dismissal, and may result in criminal prosecution.The law aims to ensure that police officers act within the bounds of legality and respect for human rights in all their operations.