The Oyo State House of Assembly has taken a strong stance on the recent incident where a secondary school student was fatally struck by a stray bullet allegedly fired by a police officer in Ibadan.
The House described the incident as “painful and unwarranted” and resolved to take several steps to ensure justice is served.
The incident was brought to the House by Hon. Olasunkanmi Babalola, the Deputy Leader of the House, under a Matter of Urgent Public Importance.
According to him, the incident occurred on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, when a police officer pursuing a suspect along Gbagi Market Road in Ibadan discharged live ammunition in a public space, resulting in the death of the student who was on his way to a WAEC examination center.
The House expressed deep sorrow over the incident and commiserated with the family of the deceased student and the entire Ibadan community.
Members of the House who were visibly shaken by the news called on the Oyo State Commissioner of Police to immediately commence a thorough investigation into the incident and ensure that the officer responsible is identified and prosecuted according to the law.
This call for investigation and prosecution is aimed at bringing the perpetrator to justice and providing succour to the family of the deceased student.
The House further resolved to urge the Executive Arm of Government to provide psychological support and financial compensation to the bereaved family.
This support is necessary to help the family cope with the loss of their loved one and to ensure that they receive the necessary assistance during this difficult time.
The House also resolved to urge the Ministry of Information and Orientation to embark on a statewide awareness campaign on citizens’ rights and police conduct.
After deliberating on the sad incident, the House constituted an eight-man Committee to be led by the Deputy Speaker to visit the Oyo State Commissioner of Police on Thursday and report to the House immediately.
The Committee will work to ensure that the incident is thoroughly investigated and that those responsible are held accountable.
The House appealed to the Inspector General of Police to issue clear directives prohibiting the reckless use of firearms in public places and to ensure officers undergo regular training in responsible crowd and suspect management.
This appeal is aimed at preventing similar incidents from occurring in the future and promoting a safer environment for citizens.
