The Ogun State Police Command has confirmed that popular Nollywood actor and director, Azeez Ijaduade, was accidentally hit by a discharged shot from a police officer on Sunday. The incident occurred during an end-of-year party held at a hotel in Iperu Remo, Ogun State.

Initial Reports and Plea for Help

News of the incident broke in the early hours of Sunday morning, with reports suggesting that Ijaduade had been shot in Iperu Remo. His colleague, Abiodun Adebanjo, took to Instagram to reveal the unfortunate incident and urgently called for assistance for the injured director. Adebanjo shared a post on social media, stating, “Please we need help in Iperu. My director, Azeez Ijaduade, was shot by a Nigerian police personnel. He is presently at Babcock University Teaching Hospital. Anybody with the contacts of the Police IG or Commissioner should reach out.”

The Police Statement

According to PUNCH Newspaper, the State Police Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola, confirmed the incident. Odutola stated that the accidental shooting occurred when an officer attached to the executives of Bramajaj Company Limited accidentally discharged a shot from his rifle during the company’s end-of-year party at the hotel in Iperu.

The Movie Shoot Connection

Ijaduade, along with his crew and other actors, was reportedly engaged in a movie shoot at the same hotel when the shot struck him in the neck. The police quickly responded and ensured that the injured actor was promptly taken to the hospital for treatment. Fortunately, Ijaduade is currently in stable condition and receiving medical attention.

A Disturbing Trend

This incident is not an isolated case, as similar incidents of accidental discharge by police officers have resulted in injuries and, tragically, deaths in Nigeria. In April 2023, a 17-year-old named Ibuchim Ofezie was killed in Jos, the Plateau State capital, after being hit by a stray bullet. At the time, the Plateau State Commissioner of Police, Bartholomew Onyeka, expressed his dismay over the incident, emphasizing that police officers are meant to protect the citizens and not cause harm.

In another distressing incident in August, a 41-year-old man named Olafuro Peterside was allegedly killed in the presence of his wife and three children by a stray bullet from a mobile police officer attached to the Gombe State Police Command.