There is anxiety in Erubu/Asunnara community in Ilorin, Kwara state capital, following the alleged death of a 35-year- man, Jimoh Abdulquadri of Balogun Fulani community, Erubu/Asunnara, in police cell at the headquarters of the state’s command, Ilorin, Kwara state capital
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, alleged that the deceased was tortured to death.
They called 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 object, with his nose allegedly oozing blood.
The deceased’s elder brothers said he said 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 reportedly died on December 20.
“We were called 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 cloth he was wearing inside cell. My brother is a tall person that couldn’t have killed himself inside police cell.
“The person my late brother was owing money is an elder brother to a police man. The person instructed his younger brother to torture my brother. When we got to mortuary, we saw that his face was swollen, blood oozed from his nose and there were bruises all over his body”.
The family accused the police of planning to cover up and called 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 has 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.
