Civil society  organisation Citizens’ Gavel has called for transparency and accountability in the investigation of the killing of 14-year-old Kehinde Alade, a student reportedly hit by a stray bullet allegedly fired by a police officer in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The tragic incident occurred on Tuesday while the teenager was on his way to sit for the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), organized by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC). According to reports, Alade was struck by a stray bullet during an encounter involving the police and his father, who was allegedly driving against traffic at the time.

Reacting to the incident, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, on Wednesday ordered a full-scale investigation.

In a statement issued by its legal consultant, Funmi Adedoyin, Citizens’ Gavel condemned the killing, describing it as “a gross abuse of power” and a stark reminder of the unchecked police brutality plaguing Nigeria’s law enforcement system.

“This is not just a tragic incident; it is a glaring example of the unchecked police brutality that continues to plague our country,” the organisation said. “A traffic violation should never be a death sentence. Yet again, law enforcement officers have shown reckless disregard for human life, especially the life of a child whose only ‘crime’ was being in the wrong car at the wrong time.”

While acknowledging the swift response by the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Citizens’ Gavel insisted that justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done.

The statement continued:

 “Nigeria has witnessed far too many cases of trigger-happy officers turning routine enforcement into deadly encounters. From checkpoints to traffic control, law enforcement in this country too often resorts to violence, with little accountability.

 “We call on the Commissioner of Police to ensure that the investigation is transparent, thorough, and devoid of cover-ups or undue influence. The officers involved must be held fully accountable under the law, without delay or excuses.”

emphasized that the loss of Kehinde Alade should serve as a wake-up call to address systemic failures in policing. The organisation pledged to monitor the investigation closely and ensure that justice is delivered.

“The loss of this young boy is a painful reminder of how broken our policing system remains. His future was stolen in a split second by those who were meant to protect him. The least the system can now do is deliver justice, fully and publicly,” the group added.

Gavel stands with the grieving family and the people of Ibadan. This culture of violence and impunity must end.