Odunayo Alade, the grieving father of 14-year-old Kehinde Alade, has gone into hiding following the tragic shooting of his son by a police officer during a high-speed chase in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
The incident, which occurred near Gbagi Market Road, has triggered widespread outrage and renewed calls for police accountability.
Kehinde, a senior secondary school student, was struck by a stray bullet allegedly fired by an officer chasing suspected internet fraudsters commonly referred to as "Yahoo boys." The reckless pursuit ended in tragedy, cutting short the life of a young boy with a promising future.
"We Were Just Going Home" – Father Recounts the Horror
Fighting back tears, Odunayo Alade recounted the horrifying moment that turned a routine school run into an unimaginable nightmare. According to him, he had only set out to drop off five schoolchildren, including Kehinde and his twin brother Taiwo, when chaos broke out.
“I had just inflated my tyre,” he said. “As I moved forward, a vehicle suddenly approached and hit mine. I didn’t know it was from the Oyo State Traffic Management Authority (OYRTMA). I reversed to avoid further trouble, unaware that four other vehicles were in hot pursuit behind me.”
Then came the sound that would change his life forever.
“Suddenly, I heard a gunshot. My son screamed, ‘Daddy! Daddy!’ and Taiwo shouted, ‘Daddy, stop! Kehinde has been shot!’”
Alade said he immediately stopped the vehicle. While bystanders rushed Kehinde to the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, he managed to apprehend one of the officers involved. Tragically, Kehinde was confirmed dead shortly after arrival at the hospital.
“I’m Not a Criminal” – Alade Denies Any Wrongdoing
Refuting any claims of involvement in criminal activity, Alade insisted he was never a suspect and was simply a father taking his children to school. He explained that one of the officers even opened the back door of his car during the commotion and saw that it was filled with schoolchildren.
“I wasn’t running from anyone. I didn’t know they were chasing Yahoo boys or not. All I was doing was taking my children and some of their friends home,” he said.
He described Kehinde as a joyful, intelligent boy who had just entered Senior Secondary School 1 (SS1) and was set to turn 14 in November. The loss, he said, has shattered the family.
“I’ve been raising them alone since their mother left seven years ago,” Alade shared. “I sacrificed everything for my children. I didn’t remarry because I didn’t want anything to destabilize their lives. Kehinde was full of life and dreams. Now all of that is gone.”
Calls for Accountability and Police Reform
Now in hiding out of fear and grief, Alade is calling for justice and accountability from the Nigerian Police Force.
“This cannot be swept under the rug,” he said. “The officer who fired that bullet stole my child’s life. I need answers. I need justice—not just for Kehinde, but to prevent this from happening to another family.”
Police Responds: Investigation Underway
In response to public anger, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun has directed a comprehensive investigation into the incident. The police leadership has pledged to ensure that the case is thoroughly examined and any officers found guilty of misconduct will face the full weight of the law.
The tragic killing of Kehinde Alade is yet another painful reminder of the dangers of unchecked police operations, especially in densely populated civilian areas. Rights advocates continue to urge the government to prioritize police reforms, enforce accountability, and protect innocent lives.
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