Oyo State Government Condoles Family Of Student Killed During Traffic Operation, Vows Justice

The Oyo State Government has expressed deep condolences to the family of a secondary school student who was tragically killed on Tuesday during a routine traffic enforcement operation on Alakia Old Road, Ibadan, describing the incident as “sad, shocking and painful.”

In a statement, the government promised to cooperate fully with the Oyo State Police Command to investigate the circumstances of the incident and ensure that justice is served.

The government stressed that the tragedy was entirely avoidable, noting that it resulted from a traffic violation by the boy’s father, who was driving against traffic.

Residents were urged to remain calm while authorities handle the situation and were reminded of the importance of following traffic rules.

The government clarified that, contrary to some reports, the incident did not happen during a police chase of a suspected internet fraudster.

Instead, it occurred during a routine operation by the Oyo State Road Traffic Maintenance Authority (OYRTMA), carried out in response to complaints from the community about frequent one-way traffic violations that have caused serious injuries and deaths.

The operation involved OYRTMA officials working with police officers to improve safety on Alakia Old Road after previous attacks on OYRTMA staff and the recent death of one of their officials linked to a traffic offense.

According to the government, the boy’s father was driving a tinted black Honda Accord with registration number FST 639 JU when he violated traffic rules around 7:30 a.m.

During an attempt to stop the vehicle, a policeman, currently under investigation by the Oyo State Police Command, reportedly fired a shot at one of the car’s tyres but missed.