A tragic incident unfolded on Tuesday morning in Ibadan when a WAEC candidate was fatally struck by a stray bullet fired by a police officer during a high-speed chase.
The incident occurred along Gbagi Market Road as the officer pursued a vehicle suspected to be occupied by internet fraudsters, commonly known as “Yahoo Boys.” The bullet, intended for the fleeing suspects, instead hit the student, who was reportedly riding on a motorcycle with his twin brother or, by some accounts, in his father’s car.
The injured student was immediately rushed to Welfare Hospital but was declared dead on arrival. The teenager was reportedly en route to sit for his West African Examinations Council (WAEC) exams when the incident occurred. The tragedy has sparked outrage in the community, with many questioning the use of firearms in such a crowded area and the overall conduct of law enforcement officers.
In the wake of the killing, grieving traders and sympathisers took the boy’s body to the Oyo State Secretariat in protest, demanding justice and accountability. The demonstration prompted the deployment of security personnel to the government complex to manage the growing crowd. As of the time of reporting, neither the Oyo State Police Command nor the state government had released an official statement regarding the incident.
