Tragedy: Stray Police Bullet Kills Boy on Way to Write WAEC

Tragedy: Stray Police Bullet Kills Boy on Way to Write WAEC

Tragedy has struck a family in Ibadan after a police bullet reportedly killed a teenage boy who was on his way to sit for his West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). The young boy, whose name has not been confirmed, was riding in his father’s car when the incident happened.

Eyewitnesses said police officers were chasing a suspect near the Welfare Hospital area in Alakia. As the officers fired shots at the suspect’s vehicle, one bullet allegedly hit the student, who was not the target. Instead of catching the criminal, the bullet found its way into a quiet car carrying a boy and his father.

The teenager had woken up early that morning, dressed in his school uniform, and was prepared to write his WASSCE — a major academic milestone for students across West Africa. His father, proud and supportive, drove him to the exam venue to ensure he arrived safely. But the day quickly turned from hopeful to horrific.

People at the scene shared their pain. A video taken at the hospital, which has gone viral, shows the boy lying lifeless on a stretcher. He had a visible injury around his waist, which people believed was caused by the bullet. Those at the hospital tried to save him, but he was declared dead not long after arrival.

A photo of the father’s car showed a bullet hole in the body of the vehicle and blood stains on the floor. These shocking signs confirmed the tragic event. Passersby and witnesses wept and shouted in disbelief. Many said they had seen too many cases like this before. They blamed the police for using guns carelessly in public areas, especially near schools and homes.

“This should never have happened,” one woman near the hospital cried. “He was just a child, and all he wanted was to write his exam. Now, his parents are broken.”

According to reports from Splash FM Ibadan and eyewitnesses on social media, the officers involved were not aiming at the boy or his father. They were allegedly chasing another vehicle and trying to stop it by shooting at its tyres. But their poor judgment and reckless shooting cost a young life.

Efforts to speak with the police failed. Calls and messages sent to the Oyo State Police spokesperson, Adewale Osifeso, went unanswered. The silence from the authorities has only added to the anger in the community.

What makes the story even more painful is that it happened just one day after another police officer, Obic Modestus, was arrested in Lagos. That officer had attacked an Uber driver in a viral video that sparked public outrage. Nigerians were already talking about police violence before this tragedy in Ibadan even occurred.

For many citizens, this is more than one sad event. It reminds them of a long history of police misconduct in Nigeria. In 2020, the government disbanded the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) after the #EndSARS protest. People had demanded an end to police brutality, but despite the reforms, many say nothing has truly changed.

In fact, just two weeks before this Ibadan incident, a report from The ICIR showed how police in Kwara State had also been involved in killings. One young man named Quoyum Ishola was allegedly killed by officers. The report said that flashy or successful young men often become targets for harassment or worse.

The death of the WASSCE student has again raised important questions. Why do police officers continue to use guns in crowded places? Why is there no clear rule on when and where officers can fire their weapons? Why have these types of mistakes become so common?

The sad truth is that many Nigerian families have similar stories. Sons, brothers, and fathers have died in the hands of officers who were meant to protect them. Some were shot during protests. Others were killed during random searches. Many of the officers never face justice.

Human rights groups have spoken up once more. They are asking for full investigations and for those responsible to be held accountable. They say officers must be trained to follow proper procedures and to value human life.

For now, the family of the boy is left to mourn. His schoolmates are confused and heartbroken. They had expected to see him at the exam hall, but instead, they received news of his death. Teachers and parents are also shaken.

“This is not the Nigeria we want for our children,” said a father who had brought his own son to the exam center. “It could have been my child. The system must change.”

Many believe the first step is justice. The police must speak up and explain what happened. Officers who acted wrongly must face the law. People want answers, not silence. They want actions, not excuses.

Until then, the death of this young student will remain a painful reminder. A reminder that in Nigeria, even the simple act of going to write an exam can end in tragedy — not because of gangs or robbers, but because of those paid to keep people safe.