‘I did not stop to examine the police because my son was late for the test’, the father of the student who was killed during the pursuit of traffic in Ibadan

The father of a teenage boy who was killed by the police during the pursuit of traffic in Ibadan, the state of Oyo, had spoken why he refused to stop when the traffic official stopped him while bringing his deceased to his school for the West African High School Certificate Examination (Wassce).

The grieving father, Odunayo Alade, who spoke in an interview about the fatal decision he had made who claimed his son’s life, explained why he was driving against traffic because of the boy, Kaninde, was too late for the exam and one of his intention was to bring his children to school on time.

The teenager, a high school student, was fatal shot in GBagi Market Road during the pursuit involving police officers and officials of Oyo State Traffic Management Authority (OYRTMA).

When telling a tragic event to the news crew at his residence on Wednesday, Alade said he chose not to stop for the police because he rushed to ensure his son and his twin brothers arrived at their exam center on time for paper at 8:30 am.

He swore that he did not realize that the officers were still chasing him until they arrived at the scene, where he was dealing with one of them.

“You know how the Nigerian system works. As soon as you stop, delay cannot be avoided. My child has paper at 8:30 am, and I don’t want him to be late. That’s why I maneuvering past them,” Alade said.

“I take them to school every day and sometimes take it in the afternoon.

“That morning, after pumping my tires at the intersection, I saw a vehicle coming at me. I did not know that it belonged to Oyrtma. They tried to stop me and hit my car. I reversed to avoid it, not realizing that four other vehicles were involved.

“After I left them, I heard a gunshot. I didn’t think too much about it until the boy began to shout, ‘Father!’ I told him to stay silent, think we had run away, not knowing he had been beaten.

He also revealed that he and his wife have been separated for the past seven years.

“Their mother left us seven years ago, and since then, I swear to give my children the best life that I can. I have worked endlessly to provide them, often override my own needs.

“I have rejected several opportunities to remarry because my priority always raises my children. Sometimes I wonder what kind of woman will accept me and my situation without sacrificing the welfare of my children.

“This should not be punished. I want those who are responsible for dealing with justice. No parents have suffered the loss of a child in vain.

“Khaninde is a brilliant child with big dreams. He likes to go to school and wait for the future – all of which have now been taken from us.

“I need to understand why this happens. My child has so many promises, and it feels cruel and unfair that his life is cut because of the careless acts that are intended to protect us. I want an answer, and I want to make sure there are no other families who experience heartbreaking loss like this,” he added while crying.

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