The father of 13-year-old Alade Kehinde Paul, who was tragically shot dead by a trigger-happy police officer in Ibadan, Oyo State, has spoken out about the harrowing experience, calling for swift justice and accountability from the authorities.
In an exclusive interview, Alade Odunayo, a ride-hailing driver and father of three, recounted the traumatic events that led to his son’s death, revealing how a normal school day turned into a lifelong nightmare.
Kehinde, a twin and SS1 student, was in the car with his siblings and members of a family friend’s household when officers of the Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority (OYRTMA) and the Nigeria Police reportedly opened fire on their vehicle. The family was en route to drop Kehinde’s elder brother, Emmanuel, off for his West African Senior School Certificate Examination.
“My son was a gentle, brilliant boy with a sharp mind. He wanted to become a lawyer. Now he is gone,” Odunayo said, his voice heavy with grief.
The Incident
According to Odunayo, the incident occurred after OYRTMA officers attempted to stop his vehicle while he was rushing to ensure Emmanuel wasn’t late for his 8:30 a.m. exam. In an effort to evade the officials, who he said had hit his vehicle, Odunayo drove off, unaware that the officers had police support.
“As I was leaving, I suddenly heard a gunshot and my son shouted, ‘Daddy!’ I didn’t know anything had happened until his twin brother screamed that he had been shot. When I stopped, I found him in a pool of blood,” he recounted.
The family rushed Kehinde to Welfare Hospital and later to the Oyo State Secretariat, but it was too late.
Contradictions and Allegations
The incident has sparked outrage on social media and among residents, leading to a spontaneous protest at the Oyo State Secretariat. The protest was reportedly not organized by the bereaved father but by sympathizers who accompanied the family to demand justice.
There have been claims that Odunayo was driving against traffic, had a tinted vehicle, or was suspected of being a Yahoo boy (internet fraudster), but he vehemently denies all allegations.
“I’m not into Yahoo. I used to sell cars before switching to Uber after things went bad. The back glass of my car is tinted, but the side windows are clear. They saw the children before shooting,” he said.
He added that the police have yet to formally communicate with him or provide any explanation. “All I know is what I see online. No one has reached out officially, neither the police nor the government.”
Unanswered Questions and a Call for Justice
The grieving father revealed that the police had moved his vehicle to Iyaganku Police Station as part of their investigation. While reports suggest that the officer responsible for the shooting has been arrested, Odunayo insists that justice must not only be done but seen to be done.
“My son’s killer should be identified and prosecuted. Today it is me—tomorrow, it could be someone else,” he said.
A Future Cut Short
Kehinde’s twin brother, Taiwo, and elder brother, Emmanuel, are said to be devastated. Their bond was especially strong, their father said, recalling how the twins would often sleep and play on the same couch despite available space elsewhere.
“They did everything together. It’s hard for them to believe that he’s gone. Taiwo said he could have been the one shot—he was supposed to sit in that position, but Kehinde insisted on it that morning.”
The late Kehinde’s body remains in the custody of the state government as the family awaits a thorough investigation. Odunayo, a single father since 2018, has vowed not to bury his son until justice is served.
“This is not just about my son. This is about the system. We need justice—real justice—so that this never happens again.”
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