ON May 20, Kehinde Alade, 14, was killed by a stray bullet in his father’s car on his way to school in Ibadan, Oyo State. The bullet fired by a police officer during a joint traffic enforcement operation with the Oyo State Road Traffic Maintenance Authority ended the life of an innocent boy. This is barbaric.
While the authorities claimed that the boy’s father was trying to evade lawful arrest, this tragedy has once again spotlighted a disturbing pattern of extrajudicial killings and reckless policing in Nigeria.
This problem has persisted despite widespread protests, public outcry, and promises of reform. This case, therefore, presents another opportunity to remedy the situation.
Several similar incidents have preceded this case. In July 2021, Jumoke Oyeleke, 25, was killed by a stray bullet fired by police during the Yoruba Nation rally at Ojota, Lagos.
On Christmas Day 2022 in Lagos, a police officer shot dead a pregnant lawyer, Bolanle Raheem, in the presence of her husband, during a supposed traffic enforcement action.
Three weeks earlier, on December 7, Gafaru Buraimoh was hit by a stray bullet fired by a police inspector at Ajah, Lagos.
In April 2022, Igwe Odinaka and Chikere Obieche were killed by a drunk cop showing off at a friend’s birthday party in a hotel bar at the Gowon Estate in Lagos State.
In June 2022, Oliver Barawani, a graduate of Taraba State University, was driving with his boss, an LG chairman, before a police officer killed him at a checkpoint near Jalingo.
Human Rights Watch reported that more than 8,000 Nigerians, many spuriously labelled as armed robbery suspects, were shot and killed by police between 2000 and 2007, with the actual figure potentially exceeding 10,000.
There are multiple cases of police killings during protests, routine stops, and over minor disputes or alleged bribe refusals.
Such highhandedness triggered the 2020 #EndSARS protests, which also resulted in the killing of at least 24 protesters.
The death of the secondary school student in Ibadan highlights the systemic failures that have plagued policing in Nigeria for decades. No Nigerian, especially a young child, deserves to be prematurely cut down by officers meant to protect citizens.
The government’s response, promising an investigation and urging calm, is predictable and insufficient.
This formulaic reaction fails to address a culture of impunity, poor accountability, inadequate training, and a near-total disregard for human rights prevalent within the police force.
The 2020 #EndSARS protests were a defining moment in Nigeria’s history aimed at ending police brutality and senseless killings. The government swiftly disbanded the unit and promised police reform.
Yet, five years on, the killings have continued unabated, proving that a mere rebranding does not eliminate a toxic culture. Reports confirm that officers from disbanded units still patrol in plain clothes, extorting and harassing citizens without restraint.
The situation calls for sweeping reforms in policing that prioritise human rights, professionalism, and accountable conduct.
Police officers act with impunity because there are few or no consequences due to cover-ups.
The Federal Government must establish an independent oversight body with the power to investigate and prosecute officers implicated in extrajudicial killings.
Any officer found guilty of using lethal force unjustifiably should face criminal prosecution rather than internal cover-ups, demotion, or suspensions.
There must be a policy shift towards non-lethal policing methods. Officers need thorough training in conflict de-escalation, firearm restraint, and human rights law.
The current militarised approach to civilian interactions only escalates tension and leads to unnecessary deaths.
The Nigeria Police Force must be purged of violent and unstable elements. Psychological evaluations, regular performance reviews, and disciplinary mechanisms must be standardised and enforced.
Better compensation, modern equipment, and working conditions can help reduce the temptation for corruption, while professional training can help build a force that earns respect instead of fear.
