A tragic incident unfolded in Ibadan on Tuesday as a secondary school student en route to sit for the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) was fatally struck by a stray bullet.
The New Daily Prime earlier reported that a student who was heading to sit for the ongoing WASSCE was killed after a stray bullet pierced through his father and struck him.
The Oyo State Government has confirmed that the heartbreaking event occurred during a traffic enforcement operation involving officers of the Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority (OYRTMA) and police personnel.
READ ALSO: Police open fire on fleeing vehicle, bullet reportedly kill Ibadan student
According to a statement by the Special Adviser on Media to Governor Seyi Makinde, Sulaimon Olanrewaju, the student’s father was driving against traffic along Alakia Old Road at approximately 7:30 a.m. in a tinted black Honda Accord (registration number FST 639 JU) when the incident occurred.
Government sources revealed that law enforcement officers were deployed to the area following repeated complaints by residents about reckless driving and frequent one-way violations, which had led to several fatal accidents.
“It was during an attempt to apprehend the traffic offender that a policeman, who is already being investigated by the state police command, allegedly aimed a shot at one of the tyres of the car, which missed the target,” the statement noted.
Describing the incident as “sad, shocking, and painful,” the government emphasized that the tragedy could have been avoided if traffic rules had been followed.
It also acknowledged the heightened need for police backup during the operation due to recent violent attacks on OYRTMA officials, including the murder of one officer in Ibadan.
The state government has urged the public to remain calm as investigations continue and vowed to ensure that justice is served.
Additionally, it reassured citizens of its commitment to preventing such incidents in the future through stricter enforcement of traffic regulations and improved inter-agency coordination.
READ ALSO: Police open fire on fleeing vehicle, bullet reportedly kill Ibadan student
The state government urged road users to obey traffic laws to avoid further needless tragedies.
The identity of the slain student has not been officially released, but the incident has sparked widespread grief and calls for accountability across the state.
By: Helen Okechukwu
