The father of the late 14-year-old Kehinde Alade has broken his silence following the tragic demise of his son
Kehinde was reportedly struck by a stray bullet on Gbagi Market Road in Egbeda Local Government Area of Ibadan, Oyo State, while on his way to the exam centre.
The heartbreaking incident has sparked outrage and calls for justice.
Narrating the events to News Central, Odunayo Alade explained that he had encountered operatives of the Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority (OYRTMA) while driving his children to school.
He said he was blocked and harassed by the officers, who even hit his car, prompting him to reverse and find an alternative route.
According to him, he was only trying to ensure the teenager wasn’t late for his 8:30 a.m. WAEC exam.
“I was taking the children to school yesterday morning, and just at the junction near our house, OYTMA officials blocked me and hit my car. I reversed to bypass them. While trying to leave the spot, another vehicle, a towing truck, also hit me, so I had to manoeuvre my way,” he recounted.
Alade firmly denied accusations that he drove against traffic, insisting the route he used was a common shortcut, not a prohibited one.
“I did not take one-way. That road is a shortcut everyone uses. It is close to the main road and not restricted,” he said.
The incident, first reported by The Nation, has left the community in mourning and raised concerns over law enforcement conduct and public safety.
“I don’t know. I won’t say one-way because the place is a very short distance.
“To them, they said I followed one-way, and I let them know that this is the road all the neighbourhood use. It’s a very short distance to the main junction,” he added.
Speaking on why he didn’t stop, he said: “You know how the Nigerian government works. If you’re on your own, once you fall into their trap, you understand.
“Moreover, the elder brother of the deceased was supposed to be writing the WASSCE yesterday.
“He was having an 8:30 am WAEC paper yesterday, and if I had stopped, they would have delayed the boy. That was why I had to manoeuvre my way,” he said.
Moments after manoeuvring past the officers, Alade heard a gunshot but pressed on until his twin brother began screaming.
He said: “So, after I left there, I did not stop, then the boy in question was shouting ‘daddy, daddy.’
“I asked him why he was shouting because we left them, and we were safe. Then his twin brother told me he had been shot. Immediately, I heard that I was parked.
“I brought him out, his clothes were soaked with blood…”
According to him, a bystander rushed Kehinde to Welfare Hospital in Alakia, where he was given oxygen and transferred to University College Hospital.
Tragically, the teenager succumbed to his injuries before arrival.
Reflecting on whether stopping for the officers could have saved his son, Alade said, “I can’t really say, only God knows the situation of things”.
Kehinde’s body now lies at Adeoyo State Hospital mortuary, awaiting autopsy.
The Oyo State Police Command has detained the officer responsible for the fatal shot, along with others involved.
Commissioner Johnson Adenola has ordered a rigorous investigation, led by the Deputy Commissioner of the State Criminal Investigation Department, promising transparency and public
