Odunayo Alade the father of Kehinde the 15-year-old teenager killed by a policeman around Gbagi Market Road in Ibadan, Oyo State Capital, has explained how the tragic incident happened.
Kehinde was killed by a bullet from a policeman’s gun when they and officials of the Oyo State Traffic Management Authority chased the car of hid father who was driving against the traffic.
Speaking to journalists, he said: I take them to school every day and then, in the afternoon, if I am chanced, I pick them back 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.
Alade also said, 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.
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.
Crying for justice, Alade 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.
