In a heartbreaking turn of events, Odunayo Alade, the bereaved father of 15-year-old Kehinde Alade, who tragically died from a stray police bullet in Ibadan, has opened up about the circumstances surrounding the fatal incident. Breaking his silence, he recounted the painful moments leading to his son’s death and the chaos that followed.
According to Alade, the ordeal began with a routine morning drive to drop his children off at school. He explained that his vehicle had developed a minor tyre issue, which required a quick stop at a vulcaniser near the junction. As he attempted to leave after the tyre was pumped, things spiraled out of control. A vehicle approached him, which he later realized belonged to the Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority (OYRTMA).
“I was only trying to get my children to school,” Alade said through tears. “After fixing my tyre, I got back into the car, ready to continue our journey. But then I saw a vehicle moving toward me and I didn’t know it was traffic officials.”
Alade claimed that the officials attempted to stop him and even hit his car. Fearing for the safety of his children, he reversed and drove off in a panic, completely unaware that he was being mistaken for a fleeing suspect.
“There were five children in the car,” he said. “Some were going to the Olatundun area, others to Olabidan. After I reversed to avoid them, I didn’t realize four other vehicles were also chasing me. As their towing van hit my car, I tried to maneuver out of the situation.”
Tragically, that was when a police officer reportedly opened fire. His son, Kehinde, who was in the back seat, was hit. Alade initially didn’t realize what had happened until his son’s twin brother screamed, “Daddy, stop! Taiwo has been shot!”
“I thought we had escaped the danger,” Alade recalled. “But I didn’t know a bullet had already struck my son. As I parked to attend to him, I noticed the policemen and traffic officials were still chasing us. I managed to grab one of them while people around helped rush my son to the hospital. We were later referred to UCH, but sadly, he passed away.”
Alade, who has been raising his children alone since his wife left seven years ago, expressed his devastation and called for justice. “I’ve sacrificed everything for my children,” he said. “I’ve refused to remarry because I wanted to be there for them. Kehinde loved school, he had dreams. And now, he’s gone.”
He lamented the reckless behavior of the officers involved and emphasized that there was no justification for their actions. “They could see children in the car. Why open fire? I wasn’t a criminal. I was just a father trying to take his kids to school.”
“This pain is unbearable. I want justice not just for Kehinde, but for every innocent life lost due to the negligence and misjudgment of those entrusted with our safety,” Alade added.
According to him, the trauma has deeply shaken the entire family. Kehinde’s twin brother, Taiwo, remains in shock and disbelief. “They shared everything together. Now Taiwo wakes up and asks for his brother,” he said.
The Inspector-General of Police has ordered a thorough investigation into the incident, and reports indicate that one officer has been taken into custody pending the outcome of the
inquiry.