The Egbeda Local Government Traditional Council in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Wednesday, charged the Police authorities to retrain and sensitise their personnel on the responsible handling of firearms.

The council also charged them on the need for utmost caution and professionalism in the discharge of their duties, condemning the reckless use of firearms in civilian areas, particularly in school zones and residential communities.

This was contained in a statement released by the Acting Chairman and representative of the Olubadan in the Egbeda Traditional Council, High Chief Sharafadeen Alli, in Ibadan, the state capital.

The PUNCH had reported that a stray bullet allegedly fired by a police officer was, on Tuesday morning killed a student who was on his way to the examination centre.

He was to sit for the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination being organised by the West African Examination Council before the tragedy on Gbagi market road in Ibadan.

Alli, who is also Ekarun Balogun of Ibadanland, described the incident as a tragic loss, not just to the bereaved family, but to the entire traditional council and the future of the society.

He stated, “We received with deep shock and sorrow the devastating news of the killing of an SSS 3 student by a stray bullet allegedly fired by a police officer during a wild chase of a traffic offender within our community.

“As a council, we condemn in strong terms the reckless use of firearms in civilian areas, particularly in school zones and residential communities.

“The life of every citizen, especially our children, must be treated as sacred. It is unacceptable that a child, filled with dreams and potential, would be cut down in such a senseless and avoidable manner.

“Furthermore, we urge security agencies to retrain and sensitise their personnel on the responsible handling of firearms and the need for utmost caution and professionalism in the discharge of their duties.”

He, therefore, called on the Nigeria Police Force and all relevant authorities to launch a thorough and transparent investigation into this tragic incident.

The acting chairman also called for the identification of the officer responsible for the killing and made to face the full wrath of the law.

While demanding appropriate compensation and support for the bereaved family, whose pain and loss cannot be quantified, Alli said, “No pursuit or operation should be worth the life of an innocent citizen.”

He sympathised, on behalf of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakunlehin and the Council, with the grieving family and the school community.