Police Cite Forensic Evidence, Deny Shooting Ibadan Poly Graduate

The Oyo State Police Command on Saturday clarified the allegation by an Ibadan Poly graduate, Nurudeen Azeez, that he was shot by officers of the Nigeria Police Force attached to Agodi Divisional Police Headquarters, Ibadan, in August 2021.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, said that the allegation was investigated and concluded by the command in 2021.

According to him, following its recent resurfacing in a viral video and newspaper publication, the Command considers it necessary to restate the findings of the investigation.

“On 16 August 2021, at about 2100hrs, Inspector Gbenga Ayodele and Sergeant Ayilaran Boluwaji, both attached to Agodi Divisional Police Headquarters, were on official night-duty pin-down at the vicinity of Koltol Hotel, Ikolaba, Ibadan, when a motorist approached them and reported that he was being pursued by armed robbers.

“Shortly thereafter, gunshots were heard from the direction of Bino Hotel, Ikolaba, the Policemen raced towards the direction where the gun was fired to ascertain and assess the situation.

“Reinforcement was subsequently sent and investigation began. However, in the course of forensic sweep of the scene, a locally fabricated pistol was recovered.

“While at the scene information from eye witnesses indicated that a pillion on motorcycle was shot and has been rushed to Molly Specialist Hospital, Idi-Ape, by public spirited persons.

“Upon this development investigators visited the hospital after the victim had been taken to Kehinde Ege Traditional Hospital, Asanke, Idi-Aro, Ibadan, where pellets were extracted from his body. However, an attempt to record his statement was unsuccessful as he was still undergoing intensive care.

“During the investigation, the victim’s elder brother, Nurudeen Musa, stated that he witnessed the removal of the projectiles and that fifteen pellets were removed. Thirteen were documented, while six were registered as exhibits”, Olayinka said.

He explained that the two police officers alleged to have shot the victim were investigated, during which their duty and firearm records were obtained.

He said the records confirmed that they had signed out two AK-47 rifles for their assignment that night.

“Both rifles were subjected to forensic examination to determine whether they were connected to the shooting”, he added.

Olayinka said the forensic examination established that neither AK-47 rifle had been fired in connection with the incident.

“In addition, the pellets extracted from the victim were not consistent with Ak-47 ammunition. There was therefore no ballistic or forensic evidence linking either police firearm to the injury sustained by the victim.

“However, the locally fabricated pistol recovered at the scene was also subjected to forensic examination. Unlike the two police-issued rifles, the pistol showed characteristics consistent with recent discharge. However, this finding alone could not establish who fired the weapon.

“Based on the totality of the evidence, the investigation concluded that the allegation that either of the two police officers shot Nurudeen Azeez was not substantiated.

“While the victim sustained a genuine gunshot injury, the evidence available did not establish the identity of the person responsible for the shooting”, he said.

The command, therefore urged the public, media practitioners and social media users to exercise caution when reporting or sharing allegations, particularly where the findings of a concluded investigation are available.

He said the command remains committed to transparency, accountability and evidence-based investigation of allegations of police misconduct, while respecting the rights of all persons.