A yet-to-be-identified police officer has allegedly shot and killed a teenager, identified simply as DMX, in the Alakia area of Ibadan, Oyo State, in an incident that has reignited public concerns over the conduct of security operatives across the country.
The shooting reportedly occurred on Tuesday following a heated altercation between the officer and the deceased. Though full details of the disagreement remain unclear, multiple accounts suggest that the confrontation escalated quickly, ending in gunfire.
A source familiar with the incident told newsmen on Wednesday that the policeman shot the teenager in the leg at close range. The source said the victim lost a substantial amount of blood before help arrived, adding that his friends rushed him to a nearby hospital in a desperate attempt to save his life.
“DMX had an issue with a police officer. The altercation escalated, and the officer shot him in the leg. His friends were alerted, and they rushed him to the hospital, but he had already lost a significant amount of blood,” the source said.
The incident first came to public attention when an X user, @Sturbyrich65562, posted about the shooting, insisting that the deceased did not physically confront the officer before he was shot. The user alleged that the policeman was “trigger-happy”, adding that while DMX was known to be a member of the Eiye confraternity, he did not instigate any violence during the encounter.
“Naija police killed one of my area gees… Though he’s a member of the Eiye confraternity, he did not fight the policeman. He was shot in Ibadan. I think the policeman was trigger-happy,” the user posted, tagging anti-cultism advocacy platform, Naija Confra.
In a separate statement, Naija Confra corroborated claims of delayed and inadequate medical attention, despite payment made by the victim’s friends for blood and emergency care. The group alleged that negligence from hospital personnel contributed to the teenager’s death.
“He was rushed to the hospital alive, and payment was made for blood as he was already losing a lot of blood. However, his friends claim that delays and negligence from the hospital, even after payment, contributed to his death,” the group wrote.
The advocacy group also claimed that DMX’s father is a high-ranking officer within the Nigeria Police Force, a revelation that has further intensified public scrutiny and speculation online.
The fatal shooting comes against the backdrop of widespread anxiety over the rising number of incidents involving excessive force by security operatives. Human rights analysts note that such cases continue to undermine public trust in law enforcement agencies.
This latest killing adds to a growing list of police-related fatalities across the country. In August, newsmen reported that a commercial motorcyclist, identified as Muazu, was shot dead by security personnel in the Onosa community, Elemoro area of Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos State, sparking protests and demands for accountability.
As residents of Alakia and advocacy organisations call for an immediate investigation into DMX’s death, civil society groups have reiterated their demand for accelerated police reforms, stricter oversight mechanisms, and improved training on engagement and de-escalation.
The Nigeria Police Force has yet to make an official statement on Tuesday’s shooting, but public pressure continues to mount as the family of the deceased and members of the community seek justice.
