Family of 28 year-old man accuse police of killing him

The family of a 28-year-old man in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, has accused the police of killing him.

The deceased, simply identified as Lukman, was a night guard at Agodi Spare Parts Market.
He was allegedly tortured to death last Friday by policemen at Gate 2 Division.

The late Lukman, who also worked as a vulcaniser at Irefin Junction, was employed as a night guard at the ceramic and Aluminium section of the Motor Spare Parts Sellers’ Association at Gate.

It was learnt that his employers accused him of taking part in a robbery at the market and reported to the police.

The late Lukman was arrested and locked up, but he was found dead two days later, when his family visited the station.

The police said the suspect committed suicide.

His family and youths at Irefin, where Lukman lived, have questioned the police’s claim.
Police spokesperson Olabisi Ilobanafor said Lukman committed suicide with the tunic he was wearing.

She said: “His cell mates were there and they can testify to it. A physical examination of his body showed that his tongue was outside. How can anybody say he was tortured to death?”

Ilobanafor said an autopsy was carried out, adding that the Police Commissioner, Mohammed Indabawa had ordered a probe.