Mourning In Ibadan, As Police Stray Bullet Kills WAEC Student While Chasing Yahoo Boys

Ibadan Community Demands Justice After Child Killed During Police Pursuit

In a heart-wrenching incident that has left the Ibadan community in shock, a young boy was fatally shot during a police chase targeting suspected internet fraudsters, commonly referred to as “Yahoo boys.” The tragic event unfolded near a checkpoint managed by the Oyo State Road Transport Management Authority (OYRTMA), where the boy, accompanied by his twin brother on their way to school, became an unintended victim of the police operation.

Prominent broadcaster and activist Oriyomi Hamzat led a group of protesters to the Oyo State Secretariat, bringing the deceased child’s body directly to the doctors’ office in a poignant demonstration of grief and demand for accountability. The protesters called for immediate action against the officers involved and urged the state government to address the excessive use of force by law enforcement agencies.

This incident has intensified public scrutiny of police practices in Nigeria, highlighting the urgent need for reforms to prevent such tragedies. Community leaders and human rights organizations are calling for transparent investigations and justice for the victim’s family.

The Oyo State Police Command has yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident. However, the growing public outcry underscores the community’s demand for swift and decisive action to ensure such incidents do not recur.