Kwara: Man allegedly dies in Police custody over N220,000 debt

A middle-aged man, Jimoh Abdulquadri of the Balogun Fulani community, Erubu/Asunnara, Ilorin, Kwara state has reportedly died in police custody in the state.

It was gathered that the deceased was arrested by the police operatives on December 19, 2024, for allegedly owing someone, identified as Peter, a sum of N220,000 while he reportedly died on December 20, 2024.

Relations of Jimoh Abdulquadri (Van de Sar); namely his mother, Mrs. Adijat Moriyike and elder brother, Ismail, narrated that the deceased was tortured to death, calling on concerned authorities to investigate the matter and arrest culprits to get justice.

The people accused police operatives in the headquarters of the state police command of beating and breaking the head of the deceased with hard objects, with the nose allegedly oozing blood.

According to the deceased’s elder brother, he said that 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 N75,000 at about 5:30 pm and at 7:30 pm he died on December 20.

“We were called a few hours after midnight of December 20 to come and bail him, when police said they don’t know what’s happening to my brother and that he’s been taken to 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 who couldn’t have killed himself inside the police cell that they have.

“The person my late brother was owing money 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 bruises all over his body”.

The family also accused police of a plan to cover up, calling on authorities concerned to intervene.

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.

“Discrete 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.

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