Father Of Ibadan Student Killed By Police Explains Reason For Driving Against Traffic

The father of 15-year-old Kehinde Alade, who was tragically shot dead by police in Ibadan, has spoken out while also going into hiding.

According to Vanguard, Odunayo Alade, who is hiding from the police, expressed deep sorrow and frustration over the incident that took his son’s life near Gbagi Market in Ibadan.

Reports say the police were chasing a vehicle believed to be carrying suspected internet fraudsters, also referred to as “Yahoo boys, “, when a stray bullet struck Kehinde, a secondary school student.

Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered an investigation into the incident.

Alade, speaking to journalists who visited his home, explained what led to him driving against traffic that day.

He said, “I take them to school every day and then, in the afternoon, if I am chanced, I pick them cack home. There were about five children in the car. While some were going to the Olatundun area, others were going to Olabidan. When I came out of the house, I needed to pump the tyre at a junction close by.

“As the vulcaniser finished, I entered the car to move and, as I moved, I saw a car moving towards me. I did not know it belonged to the Oyo State Traffic Management Authority.

“As soon as I saw them, I moved, but they tried stopping me and, in the process, they hit my car. I, thereafter, put the car in reverse to bypass them, but I did not know four vehicles were chasing me.

“As their towing vehicle hit my car, I manoeuvred and escaped; but the next thing I heard was a gunshot. My son was shouting ‘Daddy, daddy’ in the back seat, but I tried to caution him to keep quiet, as we had left the scene.

“Unknown to me, the stray bullet hit the boy. It was his twin brother who said: ‘Daddy, stop, Taiwo has been shot’.

“As I parked to bring the boy out, the policemen and officials of the Oyo State Traffic Management Authority were running after me.

“In the process, I held onto one of them. People gathered and rushed the boy to the hospital, and, from there, he was taken to UCH. Unfortunately, when we got there, he gave up the ghost.”

When asked whether he was a suspect, the father said: “No”, insisting he wasn’t being chased because he was a suspect, and he didn’t know anything about a Yahoo boy chase.

He explained that “one of the officials opened the back door and saw that they were kids in the vehicle. I didn’t know they were chasing after Yahoo boys or not. I was just taking my children to school.

“It was his elder brother that was writing his WAEC, the one that was shot was in SS1 and would have been 14 by November 26.”

Alade revealed he has been raising his children alone since separating from their mother seven years ago.

He said he made the decision to focus on giving them the best life he could, choosing not to remarry so as not to disrupt their upbringing.

He said, “Their mother abandoned us seven years ago, and I made a promise to myself to give my children the best life possible. I’ve worked tirelessly to provide for them, often sacrificing my needs.

“I have turned down opportunities to remarry because I wanted to focus on raising my kids. I often wonder which woman would accept me and my situation without jeopardising their well-being.”

With tears streaming down his face, Alade, who made a heartfelt plea for justice for his son, said: “This cannot go unpunished. I want those responsible to be held accountable. No parent should have to endure the pain of losing a child in such a senseless manner.

“Kehinde was a bright boy with dreams and aspirations. He loved school and was excited about his future, and now all of that has been stolen from us.

“I need to understand why this happened. My son had so much potential, and it feels incredibly unfair that his life was cut short due to a reckless decision by those who are supposed to protect us. I demand answers, and I want to ensure that no other family has to suffer this unbearable loss.”

KanyiDaily had reported how the tragic incident unfolded in Ibadan on Tuesday morning when the student was killed by a stray bullet fired by a police officer during a high-speed chase.