The Oyo State Government has commiserated with the family of a secondary school boy who was killed during a routine traffic infraction operation on Alakia Old Road, Ibadan, describing the incident as sad, shocking and painful.
The government said it would work with the Oyo State Police Command to investigate the matter and ensure justice was served.
The report stated that the incident was completely avoidable, explaining how a traffic offence, caused by the father of the slain boy driving against traffic, led to the loss of an innocent life.
In a statement by the governor’s Special Adviser (Media), Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, the government urged residents to remain calm as the police and the government handle the situation and warned them 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, it actually happened during a routine operation against traffic infractions carried out by men of the Oyo State Road Traffic Maintenance Authority (OYRTMA).
The government reported that OYRTMA officials, along with a police team, initiated a traffic operation on Alakia Old Road in response to residents’ complaints about ongoing one-way traffic violations that have resulted in deaths and serious injuries in the area.
It explained that backup from the police became imperative following assaults on OYRTMA officials and the 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 was noted that it was during an attempt to apprehend the traffic offender that a policeman, whom the Oyo State Police Command was already investigating, allegedly aimed a shot at one of the tyres of the car, which missed the target.
