The Oyo State Police Command has denied allegations that two of its officers were responsible for shooting Nurudeen Azeez, a graduate of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, during an armed robbery response in the state capital in 2021.
The command said its investigation and forensic examination did not establish any connection between the shooting and Inspector Gbenga Ayodele or Sergeant Ayilaran Boluwaji, who were attached to the Agodi Divisional Police Headquarters at the time.
In a statement issued on Saturday, August 8, by the command’s spokesperson, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, police said the case was investigated and concluded in 2021 but recently returned to public attention following a viral video and newspaper report.
“The allegation was investigated and concluded by the Command in 2021. Following its recent resurfacing in a viral video and newspaper publication, the Command considers it necessary to restate the findings of the investigation.”
According to the police account, the incident occurred at about 9pm on August 16, 2021, while Ayodele and Boluwaji were on night duty around Koltol Hotel in the Ikolaba area of Ibadan.
Police said a motorist approached the officers and reported being pursued by armed robbers. Gunshots were allegedly heard shortly afterwards from the direction of Bino Hotel, prompting the officers to move towards the area while reinforcement was deployed.
During a subsequent search of the scene, police said a locally fabricated pistol was recovered.
Eyewitnesses reportedly informed investigators that a motorcycle passenger had been shot and taken by members of the public to Molly Specialist Hospital in Idi-Ape.
Azeez was later transferred to Kehinde Ege Traditional Hospital in Asanke, Idi-Aro, where pellets were reportedly removed from his body.
Police said investigators could not immediately obtain his statement because he was receiving intensive medical care.
According to the command, Azeez’s elder brother, Nurudeen Musa, told investigators that he witnessed the removal of the projectiles.
“Fifteen pellets were removed. Thirteen were documented, while six were registered as exhibits,” the police said.
Investigators subsequently examined the duty and firearm records of the two officers.
The command said records showed that Ayodele and Boluwaji had signed out two AK-47 rifles for their assignment on the night of the incident.
Both weapons were subjected to forensic examination.
“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.”
Police said the locally fabricated pistol recovered from the scene was also examined and showed signs consistent with having been recently discharged.
However, the command stressed that the finding did not establish who fired the weapon.
Based on the evidence gathered during the investigation, police said there was insufficient evidence to conclude that either of the two officers shot Azeez.
“Based on the totality of the evidence, the investigation concluded that the allegation that either of the two police officers shot Nurudeen Azeez was not substantiated.”
The command acknowledged that Azeez suffered a genuine gunshot injury but maintained that investigators could not establish the identity of the shooter.
The case recently returned to public attention after Azeez gave an interview recounting the incident and said the shooting had left him paralysed.
He has maintained that a police officer shot him and allegedly ordered him to stand before leaving the scene. Azeez has also appealed for assistance as he seeks to regain the use of his legs.
The Oyo State Police Command, however, maintained that the forensic evidence obtained during its 2021 investigation did not establish that either Ayodele or Boluwaji was responsible for the shooting.
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