The Oyo State Police Command has dismissed allegations that its officers were responsible for the shooting of Nurudeen Azeez, a graduate of Ibadan Polytechnic, during a 2021 armed robbery incident in Ibadan.
In an official statement, the command clarified that a comprehensive investigation, backed by forensic analysis, exonerated Inspector Gbenga Ayodele and Sergeant Ayilaran Boluwaji, who were on duty at the time of the incident.
According to the police, the case, which recently resurfaced following a viral video and renewed media attention, had already been thoroughly investigated and concluded in 2021. Authorities stated that the findings remain unchanged.
The incident reportedly occurred on the night of August 16, 2021, around the Koltol Hotel area in Ikolaba, Ibadan.
The officers were said to be on routine night patrol when a motorist alerted them about suspected armed robbers in pursuit. Gunshots were subsequently heard from a nearby location, prompting the officers to respond swiftly.
During a forensic sweep of the scene, investigators recovered a locally fabricated pistol. Eyewitness accounts indicated that a motorcycle passenger later identified as Azeez had been struck by gunfire and rushed to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment.
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Medical intervention led to the extraction of multiple pellets from the victim’s body. However, due to his critical condition at the time, investigators were unable to immediately obtain his statement.
Further examination revealed that the pellets recovered did not match ammunition from AK-47 rifles, which were the weapons assigned to the officers on duty. Forensic tests also confirmed that the officers’ rifles had not been discharged during the incident.
In contrast, the locally made pistol recovered at the scene showed signs consistent with recent use. Despite this, the police noted that the available evidence could not conclusively determine who fired the shot that injured Azeez.
The command emphasized that while the victim did sustain a genuine gunshot wound, there is no substantiated evidence linking the two officers to the shooting.
The case has continued to draw public attention, particularly after Azeez recently shared his account, stating that the injury left him paralysed and appealing for support for his recovery.
Police authorities reaffirmed their position, stating that the investigation was conducted thoroughly and based strictly on available evidence, which did not establish the identity of the shooter.
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