A 17-year-old WAEC candidate was killed by a stray bullet during a failed police chase in Ibadan. The tragic incident took place in the Akinyele community, and the community is still in shock and mourning.
Eyewitnesses testified that a squad of officers was chasing alleged internet fraudsters—”Yahoo boys” in local jargon—when one of the officers opened fire. The bullet hit the student, who had no involvement in the chase. He was walking home after sitting for his West African Examinations Council (WAEC) paper for the day.
The pupil was reportedly killed on the spot. His school uniform stained with blood was a tragic reflection of the horror of the day.
It is not the first occasion that a young person has been killed in reckless police action in Nigeria. In past cases in states like Lagos and Delta, stray bullets have killed passers-by—students and children among them—while police raided or chased criminals along highways.
The latest murder has ignited Ibadan. Protesters, who were infuriated by the killing, marched on the scene, demanding justice and the arrest of the offending officer. Also calling for the speedy investigation and punishment of the culprits were leaders from the community.
Police authorities confirmed the incident and that the officer who fired the fatal shot has been identified. They assured the public that disciplinary measures would be taken following a thorough investigation.
Meanwhile, the student’s family was left in shock. His friends, classmates, and teachers at his school flocked to pay their respects by mourning and lighting candles in his honor. They all described him as quiet, diligent, and optimistic for a promising future.
Human rights organizations are again appealing to the Nigerian Police to re-examine its use-of-force policies and ensure officers are trained to serve and not to kill the public.
In conclusion, the death of a WAEC student who had no connection to the chase highlights the ongoing problem of reckless policing. As calls for reform grow louder, many Nigerians wonder how many more lives must be lost before real change happens.
