The Oyo State Police Command has rejected allegations that officers attached to Agodi Divisional Police Headquarters, Ibadan, shot Nurudeen Azeez during a 2021 incident, saying forensic and ballistic evidence did not link the policemen or their rifles to the shooting.

The Command, in a statement by its Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, said the allegation resurfaced recently through a viral video and newspaper publication, prompting it to restate the findings of an investigation concluded in 2021.

According to the police, on August 16, 2021, two officers, Inspector Gbenga Ayodele and Sergeant Ayilaran Boluwaji, were on night-duty around Koltol Hotel, Ikolaba, when a motorist reported being pursued by armed robbers. Shortly afterwards, gunshots were heard around Bino Hotel, prompting the officers and later reinforcement to move to the area.

A forensic sweep of the scene reportedly led to the recovery of a locally fabricated pistol. Police also received information that a motorcycle passenger had been shot and taken to a hospital. Pellets were later extracted from the victim's body.

The police said the officers had signed out two AK-47 rifles for their duty that night, but forensic examination established that neither rifle had been fired in connection with the incident. The pellets recovered from the victim were also found to be inconsistent with AK-47 ammunition.

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Meanwhile, forensic examination of the locally fabricated pistol recovered at the scene showed characteristics consistent with recent discharge. However, the Command said the finding could not establish who fired the weapon.

The police therefore concluded that while Azeez sustained a genuine gunshot injury, the available evidence did not substantiate the allegation that either of the two officers shot him.

The Command urged the public, journalists and social media users to exercise caution when circulating allegations, particularly where investigations have already been conducted, and reaffirmed its commitment to evidence-based investigations and accountability.