The Oyo State Police Command has restated that forensic and ballistic investigations found no evidence linking two of its officers to the shooting of Nurudeen Azeez in Ibadan on August 16, 2021.
The Command issued the clarification on Saturday following the resurfacing of the allegation in a viral video and a newspaper publication, noting that the case had already been investigated and concluded in 2021.
According to a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, the officers allegedly involved—Inspector Gbenga Ayodele and Sergeant Ayilaran Boluwaji, both attached to the Agodi Divisional Police Headquarters—were on official night-duty patrol near Koltol Hotel, Ikolaba, when a motorist alerted them that he was being chased by armed robbers.
The statement said that moments later, gunshots were heard from the direction of Bino Hotel, prompting the officers to move towards the area while additional reinforcements were deployed.
“On 16 August 2021, at about 2100hrs, Inspector Gbenga Ayodele and Sergeant Ayilaran Boluwaji… 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,” the statement read.
The police said investigators recovered a locally fabricated pistol during a forensic sweep of the scene. Witnesses also informed investigators that a motorcycle passenger had been shot and rushed to Molly Specialist Hospital before being transferred to Kehinde Ege Traditional Hospital, where pellets were removed from his body.
According to the Command, investigators were initially unable to obtain a statement from the victim because he was receiving intensive medical care.
The police added that during the investigation, the victim’s elder brother, Nurudeen Musa, confirmed witnessing the extraction of 15 pellets from the victim’s body, with 13 documented and six preserved as exhibits.
The statement explained that both officers’ firearms and duty records were thoroughly examined.
“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,” the Command stated.
According to the police, forensic experts concluded that neither rifle had been fired in connection with the incident.
“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,” the statement said.
The police disclosed that the locally fabricated pistol recovered at the scene showed signs of recent discharge during 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,” the statement added.
Based on the available evidence, the Command said investigators were unable to substantiate the allegation that the officers shot Azeez.
“While the victim sustained a genuine gunshot injury, the evidence available did not establish the identity of the person responsible for the shooting,” the statement said.
The Oyo State Police Command urged journalists, members of the public and social media users to verify allegations before circulating them, particularly where investigations have already been concluded.
It reiterated its commitment to transparency, accountability and evidence-based investigations while respecting the rights of all citizens.
