The family of a 23-year-old man, Yusuf Israel Dada, has accused the Ondo State Police Command of causing his death after he was allegedly tortured while in custody. The police, however, denied the allegation, insisting he died of medical complications unrelated to torture.
Dada was reportedly arrested on August 31 by operatives of the Scorpion Squad in Akure. According to a relative, Afolabi Bisoye, the deceased was beaten until he collapsed and later taken to the Police Clinic in Akure, where the family learned he had sustained a gunshot wound.
He was subsequently transferred to the Federal Medical Centre, Owo, for further treatment but died on September 7. “Yusuf was unlawfully arrested and brutally beaten in custody to the point of falling into a coma,” Bisoye told our correspondent, alleging that the officers involved were intoxicated during the operation.
The family has called for justice and accountability, describing the case as another example of police brutality.
However, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Olushola Alayande, dismissed the claims. He said Dada developed an illness while in custody and was taken to hospital, where he later died during dialysis treatment.
“The command rejects the family’s claim. Their son died while undergoing dialysis at the Federal Medical Centre, and dialysis has nothing to do with torture. The Ondo State Police Command does not condone torture,” Alayande said.
He added that the Commissioner of Police had ordered an internal investigation, with the officers involved currently under review. “Whatever the outcome is, it will be made public,” he assured.
Dada’s death adds to growing concerns over police conduct in Nigeria. In February, a newlywed, Abdulmujid Oduga, was allegedly tortured to death while in detention at the Ikota Police Post in Lagos.
Rights advocates have urged security agencies to curb brutality in order to restore public trust in law enforcement.
