Timilehin, Boy Shot By Police,Buried Amid Tears.

Tears flowed freely at Ijede Cemetery,
Ikorodu, Lagos as family members and
sympathisers gathered to bury the
remains of Timilehin Ebun, a nine-year-
old boy killed by a police bullet.
It was reported that the boy and members of
his immediate family were on their way to
their Ikorodu home when a stray bullet
pierced through his father's vehicle and killed
him.
Reportnaija correspondent, who was present at
the funeral, observed that the deceased's
siblings were not at the cemetery. However,
cousins and friends of his parents were
present.
Earlier, the relatives had collected Timilehin's
corpse at Lagos State University Teaching
Hospital, where an autopsy was performed on
it.
Symapthisers at the funeral, which started
around 3pm burst into tears when the
deceased's coffin was opened for them to
see.
The corpse was clothed in a white and blue
shirt and a pair of jeans.
The presiding minister, Pastor Banjo
Lawrence, said although the incident was
tragic, it was pertinent that people should
see it as proof that anyone could die at
anytime.
He therefore urged all to live right before God
because both old and young would die. He
however prayed that such a tragedy would
not befall the family again.
He said, "It is most unfortunate that the boy
was killed so suddenly and at such a young
age. I pray that God will console the family
and none of the remaining children shall die
young.
"We all need to remember every day that we
shall all die one day. We should therefore
endeavour to live right before God."
The most emotional aspect of the event was
the lowering of the coffin into the grave, after
which cousins of the deceased were called
upon to perform the dust-to-dust rites.
One of the cousins, Abiodun Ebun, cried
profusely. Abiodun said he never imagined
that he would be the one to bury Timilehin,
who was many years younger than him.
He said, "This is very unfortunate. Timilehin
was just too young. How could I be pouring
sand on his coffin? God, why? The boy was
not sick; he just went to pick up his brother
from the airport and was killed in the
process? I hope Jide, who just came back
from Canada does not start blaming himself
over the incident?
"This death was completely avoidable and yet
it happened, just like that."
Employees of Timilehin's father, described
the deceased as a pleasant boy who always
followed his father to work.
One of the employees, who did not identify
himself, said, "Timilehin was such a good boy,
it is hard to believe that he is gone. He
usually came to the office with his dad and
they were inseparable. I wonder how the man
will survive without him. It is just too sad."
A copy of the death certificate made available
to Reportnaija reads in part, "Timilehin died
of exsanguination (bloodlessness), disruption
of facial vessels and gunshot injuries to the
face."
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