The State Government will ensure that this heart rending occurrence is a precursor to interrogating, even at the National level, who should carry guns and what should be the state of mind of the gun carrier
The Oyo State Government has raised serious concerns about the mental and emotional readiness of personnel in the Nigerian Police Force and other allied security agencies while on active duty.
This comes in the wake of the tragic killing of a 14-year-old student, Kehinde Alade, in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
Speaking at a press briefing held at the Nigerian Police Force Headquarters in Eleyele, Ibadan, the State Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, expressed the government’s deep worry over the conduct and judgment of security personnel in the line of duty.
Present at the briefing were the Commissioner of Police, CP Johnson Adenola, and the Executive Chairman of the Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority (OYRTMA), Major Adesagba Adekoya (Rtd.).
While acknowledging that the role of the vehicle’s driver—reportedly the father of the deceased—is under scrutiny, Prince Oyelade emphasized that the government is equally troubled by the spread of misinformation and the apparent attempts to divert public attention from the core facts of the case.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring that justice is served and that all narratives surrounding the incident are based on verified facts rather than speculation or intentional deflection.
Oyelade said, “Dear colleagues, we all watched in horror, the event of the last two days where an innocent 14 year old ambitious boy was cut down in his prime by a policeman who definitely will be brought to justice.
“It is significant that this meeting is holding, not only in the premises of the Nigerian Police Force but in full collaboration with the Commissioner of Police, CP Johnson Adenola.
“My presence here, together with the Executive Chairman of the Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority (OYRTMA), Major Adesagba Adekoya (Rtd.) is to reinforce the determination of the State Government that justice will be done and that we will do everything possible as a Government to placate, commiserate and empathize with the bereaved family.
“While the culpability of the driver of the vehicle who is said to be the father of the deceased is an issue, another thing that is paramount to Government is the issue of disinformation and deflection of facts.
“The State Government stands on the side of justice and its implications.
“Gentlemen of the Press would recall that Governor Seyi Makinde had always taken the issue of justice very strongly and at numerous occasions where people who are supposed to be close to him have had to face the wrath of the law, he encouraged the enforcement of the rule of the law no matter whose ox is gored.
“The State Government will ensure that this heart rending occurrence is a precursor to interrogating, even at the National level, who should carry guns and what should be the state of mind of the gun carrier.”