WASSCE Tragedy: Ibadan Book Club Demands Justice for Student Killed by Police Bullet

 

WASSCE TRAGEDY: IBADAN BOOK CLUB DEMANDS JUSTICE FOR STUDENT KILLED BY POLICE BULLET

 

Ibadan Book Club has strongly condemned the tragic killing of a student in Ibadan, Oyo State, who was struck by a stray bullet fired by a police officer while on his way to sit for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

The shocking incident has sparked widespread grief and anger among residents, stakeholders in the education sector, and the general public.

The deceased, a promising student whose identity has not been officially disclosed, was reportedly inside his father’s car en route to his examination centre when the fatal shot was fired. According to eyewitnesses, the bullet was discharged by a member of the Nigerian Police Force under circumstances that remain unclear and highly condemnable.

In a press release issued in Ibadan on Tuesday by the founder of the Ibadan Book Club, Wole Adedoyin, the group described the incident as a senseless and avoidable tragedy that stressed the continued lack of accountability and professionalism within the Nigerian police force. "The loss of such a young, promising life in this manner is heartbreaking and unacceptable," Adedoyin stated.

The Club noted that the death of the student is not only a personal tragedy for the family but also a national shame that further erodes public trust in the security agencies meant to protect citizens. “This student had a future ahead, dreams to chase, and a life to build. His journey was cut short not by fate, but by the carelessness of those paid to safeguard lives,” the statement read.

Ibadan Book Club called on the Oyo State Government and the Nigerian Police Force to launch a full-scale investigation into the matter, identify the officer involved, and ensure that justice is served swiftly. "The era of impunity must end. We cannot continue to bury our children because of institutional recklessness," Adedoyin emphasized.

The Club also extended its condolences to the bereaved family, urging them to stay strong in the face of their unimaginable loss. "Our hearts go out to the family of the deceased. We mourn with you, and we demand that his death will not be in vain," the statement added.

As a community of intellectuals, readers, and writers, Ibadan Book Club further called on civil society groups, educational bodies, and human rights organizations to rise in protest and demand urgent reforms in Nigeria’s policing system, especially regarding how officers are trained in handling firearms and engaging with the public.

“This tragic death must serve as a wake-up call to our leaders. Our students should be nurtured, protected, and supported—not gunned down on their way to examinations. We owe them a better country,” the statement stressed.

The Club also urged the National Human Rights Commission and other relevant agencies to monitor the case closely and ensure that the rights of the victim’s family are protected, and that fair compensation is awarded. Nothing can bring back the lost life, but justice and accountability can bring some form of solace and prevent future occurrences.

In closing, Ibadan Book Club reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for justice, equity, and human rights and called for urgent national dialogue on how to protect the lives and aspirations of Nigerian youth, particularly students whose future must never again be stolen by the bullets of state actors.