The Nigeria Police Force has denied allegations that its personnel shot a graduate of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, Nurudeen Azeez, during an incident in Ibadan.
Azeez, who was a student of The Polytechnic, Ibadan at the time of the incident in August 2021, recently recounted how he was allegedly shot while returning home on a motorcycle in Ibadan.
He claimed that the bullet left him paralysed and has affected his ability to work and live independently.
According to reports from the period, Azeez was allegedly stopped by police officers around the Ikolaba area for a stop-and-search operation before he was shot.
Students of the institution subsequently staged a protest, demanding justice and calling for an investigation into the incident.
However, the Police reportedly denied responsibility for the shooting, maintaining that its personnel were not responsible for the injuries sustained by the student.
The controversy has resurfaced following Azeez’s account of the incident five years later, with the graduate saying the alleged shooting has permanently altered the course of his life.
The development has again raised concerns about accountability, police conduct and the need for transparent investigation whenever allegations of police brutality or unlawful use of firearms arise.
While Azeez maintains that a police officer shot him, the Police position remains that its personnel were not responsible.
The conflicting accounts underscore the importance of an independent and conclusive investigation to establish what actually happened.
Authorities are expected to provide further clarification on the circumstances surrounding the incident and ensure that any person found culpable is held accountable in accordance with the law.
