Timilehin, Boy Shot By Police, Buried Amid Tears

Tears flowed freely at Ijede Cemetery, Ikorodu, Lagos as family
members and sympathisers gathered to burythe 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.
Punch 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 atLagos 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 althoughthe
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 bothold 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 sucha 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 dieone day. We
should therefore endeavour to live right beforeGod."
The most emotional aspect of the event was the lowering of the coffin
into the grave, afterwhich cousins of the deceasedwere called upon to
perform the dust-to-dust rites.
One of the cousins, Abiodun Ebun, cried profusely. Abiodunsaid 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 theincident?
"This death was completely avoidable and yet it happened, just like that."
Employees of Timilehin's father, described the deceasedas 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 certificatemade available to PUNCH Metro reads in
part, "Timilehindied of exsanguination (bloodlessness), disruption of
facial vessels and gunshot injuries to the face."

May is Gentle Soul Rest In Peace....