Oyo State Police clear officers of shooting Ibadan graduate

The Oyo State Police Command has cleared two officers, Inspector Gbenga Ayodele and Sergeant Ayilaran Boluwaji, of allegations that they shot and paralyzed Nurudeen Azeez, a polytechnic graduate, during an armed robbery response in Ibadan in 2021.

The command released a statement through spokesperson DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, noting that the case was investigated and concluded in 2021, but was being addressed again due to a resurfacing viral video and newspaper reports. The incident occurred on August 16, 2021, near Koltol Hotel in the Ikolaba area.

Forensic evidence played a central role in the exoneration. Investigators examined the two AK-47 rifles signed out by the officers for their night duty and determined that neither had been discharged. Furthermore, the pellets extracted from Azeez's body were found to be inconsistent with AK-47 ammunition. While a locally fabricated pistol was recovered at the scene and showed signs of recent use, police stated there was insufficient evidence to link the shooting to the two officers.