By Anuoluwapo Fasoyin
Oyo State House of Assembly has called on the Oyo State Commissioner of Police to ensure that the officer allegedly responsible for the killing of a Secondary School boy by a stray bullet is identified and prosecuted according to the law.
The call followed a matter of urgent public importance brought by the lawmaker representing Egbeda Constituency, Mr. Olasunkanmi Babalola, on the need for government action, following the death of the student.
The House also set up an eight-man committee headed by the Deputy Speaker, Mr. Muhammed Fadeyi to visit the Commissioner of Police in the state and report to the House immediately.
The assembly, however, appealed to the Inspector-General of Police to issue clear directives prohibiting the reckless use of firearms in public places and to ensure officers undergo regular training in responsible crowd and suspect management.
Earlier in his submission, Honourable Babalola hinted that witness accounts confirmed that the student was not involved in the police chase and was an unintended target of the reckless gunfire.
The House added that the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology should provide psychological support and financial compensation to the bereaved family, especially the surviving twin brother.
Similarly, Oyo State Government has commiserated with the family of a secondary school boy slain during a routine traffic infraction operation on Alakia Old Road, Ibadan, describing the incident as sad, shocking and painful.
It stated that the state government would work with the Oyo State Police Command to investigate the matter and ensure that justice is served.
The government noted that the incident was avoidable, noting how what started as a traffic offence, with the father of the slain boy driving against traffic, resulted in the loss of an innocent life.
It urged residents to remain calm as the police and the government handle the situation, while it also warned residents against breaking traffic rules.
The state government clarified that contrary to claims that the incident occurred while the police were chasing a suspected internet fraudster, the incident actually occurred during a routine operation against traffic infraction, carried out by men of the Oyo State Road Traffic Maintenance Authority (OYRTMA).
According to the government, OYRTMA officials, in conjunction with a team from the police, embarked on the traffic operation on Alakia Old Road following complaints from residents over constant one-way traffic violations that have led to deaths and life-threatening injuries on the axis.
It explained that the backup from the police became imperative following assaults on OYRTMA officials and a recent killing of one official in Ibadan by a traffic offender.
The government maintained that the father of the slain boy drove a tinted black Honda Accord Car with registration number FST 639 JU against the traffic at around 7.30 a.m.
It noted that it was during an attempt to apprehend the traffic offender that a policeman, who is already being investigated by the Oyo State Police Command, allegedly aimed a shot at one of the tyres of the car, which missed the target.
