The family of Taofiki Mustapha, who died in police custody in Agbeye, Osun State, has petitioned the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone XI, seeking an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.
Mustapha was arrested on October 5 over an allegation of stealing 13 cocoa pods and handed over to the police after being taken to the community’s traditional ruler.
In a petition through their solicitors, L.S. Bello & Co., the family alleged that Mustapha was beaten before he was taken to Agbeye Police Post, where he was found dead the following morning.
The family called for an investigation into the roles of the police post, the traditional ruler and other individuals named in the petition. It also noted that the alleged theft had not been established.
The Zone XI Police Public Relations Officer, Olanrewaju Ojedele, confirmed that two suspects, including the traditional ruler, had been invited for questioning and released after making statements.
He said Mustapha was allegedly beaten and paraded around the community half-naked before being handed over to the police.
According to Ojedele, the deceased’s body was deposited at Osun State University Teaching Hospital, where a postmortem examination was conducted. The police were awaiting the results to establish the circumstances surrounding his death.
The Osun State Police Command had earlier described the incident as suicide, while saying investigations were ongoing.
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