A tragic incident has occurred involving a secondary school student who lost his life after being hit by a stray bullet while being escorted by his father to his WAEC examination center. Reports indicate that the unfortunate event took place during a police operation in which officers were allegedly chasing suspected internet fraudsters, commonly referred to as "yahoo boys."
The disturbing incident reportedly happened along Old Ife Road, Ibadan, where an eyewitness took to X (formerly Twitter) to narrate the heartbreaking event. According to the post, the police opened fire during the pursuit, and one of the bullets struck the student inside his father’s vehicle as they were en route to his exam.
The eyewitness initially expressed hope for the student’s survival, writing:
“Police just shot someone at Old Ife Road just now. They said they were chasing yahoo boys and a stray bullet hit a child in his dad’s car on the way to school to write WAEC. I hope the kid survives… Why would you shoot in the first place?”
However, in a sorrowful update shared shortly after, the same eyewitness confirmed the worst:
“The boy died.”
The incident has since sparked outrage and emotional reactions across social media, with many users condemning the police's actions and demanding accountability and justice. Citizens expressed grief and anger over the increasing cases of stray bullets claiming innocent lives, especially from operations conducted in populated areas.
See some reactions below:
@Impeccable_Tim: “We all need to be scared of the men of @PoliceNG and @OyoPoliceNG the more now, cause stray bullet can hit anyone on their way to work… When is all this going to stop… Why will your men shoot in a public space where we have citizens going about their daily business.”
@Stephendeals: “The way it is, people need to start praying ‘lead us not into the path of Nigeria Police’ every day before leaving the house. This is so sad and sickening.”
@Bayolly1: “They are chasing Yahoo boy? Not an armed robber? Wtf is wrong with all these security agencies? Bunch of Oloribu.”
@ifeisawumi: “All those police on the airport bridge down to Alakia, Isebo need retraining — and the MVP of them all, Adelubi!”
@oluwafunbisayo: “This is terrible mehn, Nigeria police are animals.”
SEE POST:
Happened at Akala express, Ibadan this morning💔💔!! Nigerian police allegedly chased suspected “yahoo boys” in a car, firing at their tires, but tragically hit a secondary school student heading to his WAEC exam by “mistake” …. Oriyomi Hamzat is currently at the scene too 💔 pic.twitter.com/vgw3RBV2oh
— Oyindamola🙄 (@dammiedammie35) May 20, 2025