An investigation has been launched into the death of a 35-year-old man, Jimoh AbdulQodir Tunji, who died while in police custody in Kwara State. The state police command announced the investigation on Sunday, following allegations by the man’s family that he was tortured to death by police officers over an unpaid debt of N220,000.
According to reports, Tunji was arrested by the police on Friday, after his employer filed a petition against him regarding the unpaid debt. A video circulating online shows the man’s mother and other relatives accusing the police of torturing him to death.
The spokesperson for the state police command, Ejire-Adeyemi Toun, stated that the deceased was invited by the police over allegations of obtaining money under false pretence and that an investigation into his death was underway.
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has also instructed the Force Criminal Investigations Department (FCID) to take over the investigation into Tunji’s death. The IGP expressed his condolences to the family and assured them that a thorough and impartial investigation would be conducted.
This incident marks the third case of alleged police killings in Kwara State in less than five months. In two previous incidents, police officers were implicated in the deaths of two individuals, including a 27-year-old asthmatic patient and a Kwara State Polytechnic student.
The investigation into Tunji’s death is ongoing, and no further details have been released.
