From Victor Akinkuolie, Ado Ekiti

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The family of the late Adekalu Ifeoluwa, who was killed by a stray bullet allegedly fired by a trigger-happy police officer at the Oke-Ila Divisional Police Station in Ado-Ekiti, has called for justice.

Speaking on behalf of the grieving family, Abayomi Adekalu stated that since the tragic incident, the family has been left in the dark about the circumstances surrounding the death of their young and promising relative.

Similarly, the Nigerian Youth Congress (NYC), Ekiti State Chapter, has demanded a thorough investigation into the killing.

In a statement issued on Sunday in Ado-Ekiti, signed by the Chairman and Secretary, Temitope Adedara and Temitope Oluwadamilola respectively, the family threatened to embark on a street protest to demand immediate action and justice for their loss.

The NYC also released a statement on Sunday, expressing their dismay over the incident.

The statement read: “Our attention has been drawn to the saddening event that occurred in Ado-Ekiti, on January 2, 2025, at the Oke-Ila Divisional Headquarters of the Nigerian Police Force, which led to the untimely death of a very young Ifeoluwa Adekalu.

“Ifeoluwa, a promising and talented individual, had her glory cut short in an instant. Throughout her life, she strove and hustled to make life meaningful for herself and her newly-born baby.

“According to records, at the time of her sudden death, she was a staff member of Bovas Filling Station, located at Bank Road, Ado-Ekiti.”

The Youth Congress extended their condolences to the family of the late Ifeoluwa and prayed for the repose of her innocent soul.

The group condemned the killing, describing it as a barbaric and nefarious act by a power-drunk police officer, whose duty was supposed to be the protection of lives and property but who instead turned into a “ferocious predator.”

“In the name of celebrating the promotion of a colleague, he cut short the life of a budding mother and rendered an innocent child motherless. This is a bitter pill to swallow,” the statement read.

The group also referenced a recent Security Engagement organised by the Ministry of Youth Development, where it was agreed that security agencies in the state should carry out their duties responsibly and ethically.

The NYC called for calm amid rising tensions and assured the public that they had taken action to ensure justice is served. “We are committed to ensuring the trigger-happy police officer is brought to book,” the statement concluded.