The Inspector-General of the Nigerian Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the tragic incident involving personnel of the Oyo State Police Command and the Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority (OYRTMA), during which a 14-year-old boy, Kehinde Alade was killed.
The 14 year old was being driven to school when a policeman discharged his weapon, killing the boy.
The video is a difficult one to watch and tells different stories. On the face of it, you see uniformed men trying to stop a black Toyota Camry that is driving in the wrong direction.
Initially they are successful, and they open the car door. One official is seen punching the driver of the Camry, while another one remarks that there are children in the car.
After being punched several times the driver takes off. In the process he rams into several cars, both police and private.
At a point the sound of gunshots!
Then the police start a pursuit!
It’s a brief chase, then the rolling camera shows a picture of young child, presumable, at this point, male, lying on the ground.
Shouts are heard and several bystanders begin to accost the uniformed men. When the camera cuts back to the boy lying on the ground, his limp body is being lifted to be put in the car, that’s when you notice the blood, pooling under his body.
The video cuts off at this point but it emerges later on that these were the final moments of young Kehinde Alade’s life. He was pronounced dead on arrival at a hospital.
In its initial reaction, the Oyo State Police Command, sought to lay the blame firmly on the driver of that black Toyota Camry, who we now know as the farther of the deceased boy.
It a statement the police said, quote,
“Given the nature of the driver’s conduct, officers suspected possible criminal activity or a case of abduction. The police initiated a chase and In an attempt to immobilize the vehicle, a police corporal discharged a firearm aimed at the tyres. Tragically, the bullet missed and struck Kehinde Alade, who was sat in the rear seat behind the driver.
The incident and this initial police response has prompted numerous debates amongst million of Nigerians.
Why was the father driving in the wrong lane? Why did he resort to reckless driving, ramming othe vehicles, knowing that he had children in the car?
And why did the police shoot at the car knowing full well that there was a child or children in the car? And finally was firing a shot the last resort for the police?
As Nigerians continue to ponder these questions, the Inspector General of the Police Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered a fresh investigation into the tragic incident.
The policeman who fired that fatal shot is also said to have been detained.
Nigerians will be hoping more answers will be forthcoming, even though, they will not be enough, to bring young Kehinde Alade back to life.
Editor : Ena Agbanoma
