By Oluwatoyin Hawal Momolosho, Ilorin

On December 19, 2024, Jimoh Abdulqodir Tunji, a 35-year-old farmer, was arrested by policemen at the state headquarters in Ilorin, Kwara State. He was accused of owing ₦220,000 to an individual identified as Peter. Despite the agreement to bail him once he provided the money and the creditor confirmed repayment, the story took a tragic turn when the policemen announced Tunji’s death on Friday.


The Incident

According to information gathered from The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Jimoh Abdulqodir Tunji was arrested by police operatives on Thursday for allegedly owing Peter ₦220,000. However, Tunji reportedly died on Friday.

While speaking with the family of the deceased, Jimoh Abdulqodir Tunji, of the Balogun Fulani community at Erubu in Ilorin, who allegedly died in police custody, they contended that he was killed. One of his elder brothers, Ismail, called on concerned authorities to investigate the matter and arrest the culprits to ensure justice.

Ismail accused operatives at the Police Headquarters in Ilorin of beating and breaking Tunji’s head with a hard object, with his nose allegedly oozing blood. He stated that measures were already being taken to settle the ₦220,000 debt before the incident.


Family’s Allegations


“My brother was said to be owing someone ₦220,000, and measures were being taken to settle the debt. He was arrested with his phone, which had a total amount of ₦350,000, at about 5:30 p.m., and by 7:30 p.m., on Friday, he died in the care of Nigeria Police Force, Kwara State Command.

“We were called a few hours after midnight on Friday/Saturday to come and bail him. When we arrived, the police said they didn’t know what was happening to my brother and that he had been taken to the hospital. By the time we got to the headquarters early in the morning, we were told to meet them at General Hospital at Surulere in 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. He couldn’t have killed himself inside the police cell. The creditor is an elder brother to a policeman. The person had instructed his younger brother to torture my brother.”


Viral Video Sparks Outrage


In a viral video recorded by Tunji’s mother, she and other family members accused the police of torturing Tunji, leading to his death. The video, which lasted around 2-3 minutes, showed Tunji’s mother facing the camera and alleging that the police killed her son.

“My son didn’t kill anyone. He only owed someone money. They have killed my son. Please, come to my aid. The police at the headquarters have killed my son,” she lamented.

Police Statement and Investigation

According to Punch Newspaper, shortly after the distressing video surfaced online, the spokesperson for the state police command, Ejire-Adeyemi Toun, addressed the incident in a statement shared on her social media handle on Sunday.

“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 under false pretense to the sum of ₦220,000. 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,” said the state police spokesperson.

IGP Orders Investigation


The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has instructed the Force Criminal Investigations Department (FCID) to take over the investigation into Tunji’s death. The Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, stated that the IGP gave the directives during a meeting with Tunji’s family on one Sunday morning.

“In a show of commitment to justice and accountability, the IGP visited Kwara State today, Sunday, December 22, 2024, where he met with the bereaved family of the deceased. The IGP expressed his profound condolences and assured the family that no stone would be left unturned in uncovering the circumstances that led to the tragic incident. The IGP has ordered the FCID to handle the case with utmost diligence and ensure a conclusive and impartial investigation.”


Pattern of Police Brutality

While reflecting on the issues of police brutality in Nigeria, their pattern of violence is alarming and affects everyone. In Kwara State, prior to the recent incident of Tunji, who was allegedly killed in police custody, there have been calls for the government to take serious action, yet they have failed to hold the perpetrators accountable. In fact, the police should be accountable for their actions, and justice should be served.

However, Abdulqodir Tunji incident with police marks the latest case of alleged police killings in Kwara State. Just a few months ago, the police in the state were implicated in the death of at least two individuals. Three police officers were implicated in the death of 27-year-old Suleiman Olayinka, an asthmatic patient, who was allegedly killed along the University of Ilorin road. According to the police, the officers involved were arrested and subsequently dismissed.

Similarly, in September 2024, police officers were allegedly involved in the fatal shooting of a Kwara State Polytechnic student, identified as Ishola Abdulqoyum, along Panat Road, which connects Sango and Shop Rite in the state.


Community Reaction

The Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, through his spokesman Abdulazeez Arowona on Sunday 22 December has expressed deep sorrow over the death of Jimoh AbdulQodir, who reportedly died in police custody in Ilorin, Kwara State. The Emir described the incident as a “rude shock” and “regrettable incident”, and urged the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to immediately set up a panel to investigate the circumstances leading to AbdulQodir’s death.

The Emir commiserated with the bereaved family, friends, and associates of the deceased, and called on the IGP to probe the circumstances leading to AbdulQodir’s death. The statement added: “The Emir urges the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, to investigate the circumstances that led to the demise of Tunji AbdulQodir.”

Furthermore, the Emir advised relevant security agencies to uphold professionalism and adhere strictly to global ethical practices in their interactions with the public. This call for professionalism and accountability is seen as a crucial step in ensuring that justice is served and that such incidents are prevented in the future.