Biola Azeez, Author at Tribune Online

Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, said on Sunday in Ilorin that he has directed the Force Criminal Investigations Department (FCID) to immediately take over the investigation into the sudden and unfortunate death of a 35-year-old man, Abdulquadri Jimoh, who died in police custody in Ilorin, Kwara state. The IGP, in the company of police chiefs in the state and Abuja, paid unscheduled visits to the family of the deceased and the community leader, Balogun Fulani of Ilorin, Alhaji Abubakar Sidiq Atiku, and assured the family of the deceased and the people of Ilorin that the report of the investigation would be made public. "I've already directed an investigation into this incident. I've visited the police command, and I've seen the cell where he was kept before the sudden report of his death. I've given the necessary directives to the commissioner of police. And we are going to get to the root of this incident. I assure you that we'll find out the truth about his death and we'll make it public," he said. Also, the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said in a statement on Sunday that the IGP has directed the Force Criminal Investigations Department (FCID) to immediately take over the investigation into the unfortunate death of Jimoh Abdulquadri, who passed away while in police detention in Kwara state on Friday, December 20, 2024. "In a show of commitment to justice and accountability, the IGP visited Kwara State today, Sunday, 22nd December 2024, where he met with the bereaved family of the deceased. The IGP was received by the Balogun Fulani of Ilorin, Alhaji Sadiq Atiku Fulani, who spoke on behalf of the family. During the meeting, the IGP expressed his profound condolences and assured the family that no stone would be left unturned in uncovering the circumstances that led to the tragic incident. "The IGP has ordered the FCID to handle the case with utmost diligence and ensure a conclusive and impartial investigation. He further reassured the family and the general public that the Nigeria Police Force remains committed to upholding the highest standards of accountability, professionalism, and respect for human rights. "While reiterating the Force’s zero-tolerance stance on unprofessional conduct among its personnel, the IGP called on all stakeholders to remain calm and allow the due process of law to prevail," the statement read. Egbetokun, who said that the leadership of the police is saddened and troubled about the incident, just like the people, assured them that, "we're taking this incident very seriously. I want to assure you that justice will be served. "But I want to appeal to the people to be calm. Let us not jump into conclusions about what happened. I've received reports from the commissioner of police. I've seen things for myself at the police headquarters. I'm already forming my opinion, but I'm not concluding. I'm going to wait for the outcome of the investigation. Very competent detectives have taken over the investigation of this incident, and I have confidence that they're going to do a thorough job and the truth about the death of this young person will be revealed." The IGP thanked the Balogun for the reception, promising that the police are ready to support the family of the deceased "in whatever way we can. If there's anything we can do for them right away, they should please reach out to us. We'll be happy to do anything to ease their pains at this difficult time." "We know that no amount of support can ease the pain, but we believe that our actions, showing commitment to transparency and accountability, will bring a sort of relief to them." Also speaking during the IGP visit, various individuals, including the Balogun Fulani, youths, and the Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressives Union, demanded justice for the death of Jimoh. It was gathered that the deceased was arrested by the police operatives on December 19, 2024, for allegedly owing a fellow colleague, Peter, a sum of N220,000 while he reportedly died on December 20, 2024. The mother of Jimoh, popularly called Van Der Sar, Mrs. Adijat Moriyike, and elder brother, Ismail, explained that the deceased was tortured to death, urging concerned authorities to investigate the matter and arrest the culprits for justice. They alleged that police operatives beat and broke the head of the deceased with a hard object, with his nose oozing blood. According to the deceased's elder brother, measures were already being taken to settle the N220,000 debt before the incident. "My brother was said to be owing someone a sum of N220,000, and measures were being taken to settle the debt. He was arrested with his phone and N350,000 at about 5:30 pm, and by 7:30 pm he had died on December 20. "We were called a few hours after midnight on December 20 to come and bail him, when police said they didn't know what was happening to my brother and that he'd been taken to the hospital. By the time we got to the headquarters early in the morning, we were told to meet them at General Hospital, Surulere, Ilorin. There, we saw at the mortuary that he was beaten to death with blood all over him. They said he hanged himself with the cloth he was wearing inside the cell. My brother is a tall person that couldn't have killed himself inside the police cell that they have. "The person my late brother was owing money to is an elder brother to a policeman. The person instructed his younger brother to torture my brother. When we got to the mortuary, we saw that his face was swollen, blood oozed from his nose, and there were bruises all over his body," he narrated. In its reaction, the police command, through the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Toun Ejire-Adeyemi, confirmed the development. "The Kwara State Police Command is aware of an unfortunate incident that led to the tragic loss of one Mr. Jimoh Abdulquadri, which occurred on December 20, 2024. "The deceased was invited on an alleged case of obtaining money by false pretence to the sum of N220,000. "Discreet investigations into this incident have commenced to ascertain the cause. Further developments on the outcome will be communicated as it progresses, as no stone will be left unturned," she said. Meanwhile, Emir Sulu-Gambari expressed sadness over the demise of Tunji Abdulqodir in police custody on Saturday, saying, "This is a rude shock and regrettable incident, seeing a promising young man die in such an inhumane situation." Alhaji Sulu-Gambari commiserated with the family members, friends, and associates of the deceased and urged the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, to probe into the circumstances that led to the demise of Tunji AbdulQodir. He also advised authorities of relevant security agencies to ensure strict enforcement of professionalism and compliance with global ethical practices in their daily conduct with members of society. READ MORE FROM: NIGERIAN TRIBUNE