The Oyo State Police Command has denied allegations that two of its officers were responsible for the sh00ting of Nurudeen Azeez, a graduate of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, during a 2021 armed robbery response in Ibadan.
According to the command, forensic investigations cleared Inspector Gbenga Ayodele and Sergeant Ayilaran Boluwaji, both attached to the Agodi Divisional Police Headquarters, of any involvement in the shooting.
In a statement issued on Saturday, August 8, by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, the command explained that the case was thoroughly investigated and concluded in 2021 but resurfaced after a viral video and a recent 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,” the statement read.
According to the police, the incident occurred at about 9:00 p.m. on August 16, 2021, while the two officers were on night-duty pin-down operations around Koltol Hotel in the Ikolaba area of Ibadan.
The command said a motorist alerted the officers that he was being pursued by suspected armed robbers. Moments later, gunshots were heard from the direction of Bino Hotel, prompting the officers to move toward the scene, with additional reinforcement subsequently deployed.
During a forensic sweep of the area, investigators recovered a locally fabricated pistol. Eyewitnesses reportedly informed the police that a passenger on a motorcycle had sustained a gunshot injury and was rushed by members of the public to Molly Specialist Hospital, 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 obtain his statement immediately because he was receiving intensive medical care.
The command added that Azeez’s elder brother, Nurudeen Musa, witnessed the removal of the projectiles.
“Fifteen pellets were removed. Thirteen were documented, while six were registered as exhibits,” the police said.
As part of the investigation, the officers’ firearm and duty records were examined. According to the police, both officers had signed out two AK-47 rifles for the assignment, and forensic analysis showed neither weapon had been fired in connection with the incident.
“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,” the statement said.
The locally fabricated pistol recovered from the scene was also examined.
“Unlike the two police-issued rifles, the pistol showed characteristics consistent with recent discharge. However, this finding alone could not establish who fired the weapon,” police said.
Based on the findings, the command maintained that there was no evidence linking either officer to the shooting.
“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 statement read.
The police further stated:
“While the victim sustained a genuine gunshot injury, the evidence available did not establish the identity of the person responsible for the shooting.”
The case recently returned to public attention after Azeez granted an interview in which he recounted the incident, saying the shooting left him paralysed and appealing for public assistance to help him regain the use of his legs.
Azeez has maintained that he was shot by a police officer who allegedly ordered him to stand up before leaving the scene. However, the Oyo State Police Command insists that the forensic findings from its 2021 investigation did not establish that either of the two officers was responsible for the shooting.