Residents of Erubu-Asunnara Community in Ilorin East Local Government Area of Kwara State have called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, members of the State and National Assemblies, and other authorities to help investigate the mysterious death of their community member, Jimoh Tunji Abdulqodir. He was allegedly tortured to death in a police cell over a debt of ?220,000.

According to reliable sources, Jimoh, who was in good health on Friday, December 20, 2024, was arrested by the police for questioning regarding the debt he owed Mr. Peter, his colleague at a poultry farm in Offa. However, the situation turned tragic when, in the early hours of Saturday, police informed Jimoh’s family that he had died by suicide in the cell.

The community, in a statement signed by its Chairman, Alh. Ibrahim O. Mujeeb and Secretary Com. Hassan Taiye Erubu, expressed their disbelief over Jimoh’s death, calling it “bizarre and unacceptable.”

They claimed the police cell was not suitable for suicide, describing it as cramped and lacking any visible means to hang oneself. They also noted that no rope was found in the cell, and that Jimoh’s tall stature would have made it physically impossible for him to have died in that manner.

The statement detailed how Jimoh was seen in good spirits earlier that day, washing clothes and joking with his neighbors. He had been threatened by his creditor over the debt, which led him to stay away from work. On the day of his arrest, Jimoh received a call asking him to meet someone near his home, but shortly after, a distressed call came from an elderly woman in the neighborhood reporting his arrest.

The family made several attempts to visit Jimoh at the police headquarters but were denied. They were later informed to come to the police station to bail him, only to receive another call later, directing them to a hospital where they were told Jimoh had passed away. Upon visiting the Kwara State Police Headquarters, the family was told that Jimoh had died by hanging himself in his cell.

The community demanded justice, calling for an immediate investigation by the IGP and the Kwara State Commissioner of Police. They also appealed to human rights groups and civil society organizations to support their efforts to bring the responsible officers to justice.

The Kwara State Police Command confirmed the incident. In a statement, spokesperson Ejire Adeyemi Adetoun stated that the police were aware of the incident and had commenced investigations to determine the cause of death. The police promised to leave no stone unturned in their investigation, and further updates would be communicated as the investigation progresses. (Vanguard)