Rita Odafe
Alade Odunayo, the heartbroken father of 13-year-old Kehinde Odunayo, has raised his voice again following his son’s tragic shooting by a police officer in Ibadan, Oyo State.
This heartbreaking incident took place while Odunayo was transporting his son and other children to a WAEC exam, igniting widespread reactions throughout the week.
Odunayo recounted that the ordeal started when officials from the Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority (OYRTMA) tried to stop him, reportedly ramming their vehicle into his.
He stated that he fled to avoid delaying his son’s exam, unaware that police officers were pursuing him alongside the OYRTMA team.
During the subsequent chase, a police officer shot Kehinde, who was in the car. Odunayo refuted claims that his car had tinted windows, clarifying that only the rear window was tinted, which permitted the officers to see the children inside.
In a conversation with PUNCH, Odunayo called for justice for his son, questioning the justification for such a violent response to a simple traffic violation.
“Driving against traffic shouldn’t lead to the police killing my 13-year-old son,” Odunayo asserted, stressing the need for accountability.
“My son was just a bystander, an innocent child. Why did they take his life? What did he do to deserve this? I want to know who is responsible for his death. They should reveal their identity. Justice must prevail,”
The anguished father shared his sorrow, stating, “I am still in disbelief. I can’t fathom living with this pain. My son was my happiness, my everything. How could he be taken from me like this?”
The Oyo State Police Command announced it is investigating the matter, with the police commissioner reportedly visiting the site of the incident.
Kehinde’s remains are currently with the state government, awaiting further investigation and burial arrangements.
Odunayo’s plea for justice resonates with many who are advocating for enhanced police accountability and an end to atrocious police conduct.
“The police should serve as our allies and protectors. Instead, they have taken my son’s life. This tragedy was entirely preventable,” he expressed.
