In the wake of a tragic police shooting in the Alakia area of Ibadan, Hon. Akin Alabi, Member of the House of Representatives representing Egbeda/Ona-Ara Federal Constituency, has condemned the killing of a young student, Paul Kehinde Alade, and demanded immediate action and accountability from security authorities.
According to eyewitness accounts and viral reports on social media, Paul Alade, a secondary school student, was allegedly shot by a police officer while on his way to school in the early hours of tuesday. The incident occurred in Alakia, a densely populated community in Ibadan, Oyo State. The young boy was reportedly rushed to a nearby medical facility but was confirmed dead on arrival.
The incident, which has sparked widespread outrage among residents and youth groups, is the latest in a series of alleged police brutality cases that have continued to plague communities across Nigeria despite ongoing reform efforts.
In a strongly worded statement released on Tuesday, Hon. Akin Alabi expressed deep sorrow over the incident, describing it as “an extremely painful and avoidable tragedy.”
“A young life, full of promise, has been lost in a senseless manner. As a representative of the people, I will not remain silent. I demand a full investigation and accountability from the security agencies involved,” Alabi stated.
He further called on the Oyo State Police Command to:
Launch a transparent and speedy investigation into the incident;
Identify and suspend the officer responsible, pending the outcome of the inquiry;
Provide immediate support to the bereaved family.
Hon. Alabi, who has long advocated for police reforms and community-based safety initiatives, emphasized the need for law enforcement officers to uphold the rights and safety of citizens, particularly children and students.
“Our children deserve to go to school in peace and return home safely. No parent should ever have to bury a child under such circumstances,” he said.
He also appealed for calm in the community, urging residents not to take the law into their own hands. “While we grieve and seek justice, we must maintain peace and allow due process to prevail. I assure the people of Egbeda/Ona-Ara that I will follow up on this case and ensure that justice is not delayed or denied.”
Alabi extended his heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased, promising to provide all necessary legislative and legal backing to ensure justice is served. He reaffirmed his commitment to prioritizing the safety and welfare of his constituents, particularly young people, in his ongoing engagements with relevant authorities.
Meanwhile, civil society groups and student associations in Ibadan have begun mobilizing for a peaceful protest to demand justice for Paul Kehinde Alade and to draw attention to recurring incidents of police misconduct in the state.
The Oyo State Police Command has yet to issue an official statement on the incident as of the time of filing this report. However, public pressure continues to mount, with calls for police accountability dominating local and social media discussions.
This latest incident underscores growing concerns over the conduct of security forces in civilian environments and renews calls for urgent police reforms, community oversight, and better officer training in the use of force.