By Charles Maduka
Odunayo Alade, the heartbroken father of 14-year-old Kehinde Paul, is demanding justice after his son was fatally struck by a stray bullet allegedly fired by a police officer in Oyo State.
Kehinde, a secondary school student, was riding with his father and siblings when the tragic incident occurred. Alade, speaking during a media interview, recounted that he was simply using a commonly known shortcut in their Egbeda neighbourhood to get his children to school on time—especially Kehinde’s twin brother, who was scheduled to write his WASSCE that morning.
The road, often used by residents, turned deadly when officials of the Oyo Road Transport Management Authority (OYRTMA) and police operatives reportedly blocked his vehicle. In a desperate attempt to avoid delay, Alade tried to navigate through, unaware of the looming danger. Moments later, a gunshot rang out.
“I thought we had passed the trouble when I heard my son shouting ‘Daddy, Daddy,’” Alade said. “At first, I didn’t understand. Then his twin brother screamed that Kehinde had been shot. I parked immediately and saw the back seat soaked in blood.”
The boy was rushed to a nearby hospital and later transferred to the University College Hospital, but he died before arrival.
Alade said his son had just recently switched from the science class to the arts with dreams of becoming a lawyer. “He told me last week that he no longer wanted to be in science. He wanted to study law,” he said with a heavy heart.
Having raised his children alone for seven years since their mother left, Alade said he had given up personal comforts and opportunities to focus on giving them the best life.
“I have sacrificed so much. I rejected the idea of remarrying just to protect my children’s peace. Now this,” he lamented.
An eyewitness who was in the vehicle confirmed that the officials knew children were inside the car. “One of them tried to open the door, saw the kids in uniform, and still went on. After the driver managed to escape, the next sound we heard was a gunshot,” he stated.
The Oyo State Government has acknowledged that the operation was part of a clampdown on one-way violations, citing past fatal accidents. Meanwhile, the Inspector General of Police has ordered a full investigation, and the officer involved has reportedly been detained.
“This can’t go unpunished,” Alade said. “The police abuse their power too often. I want justice. My son’s life was full of promise. He did not deserve this.”
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