The family of a 23-year-old man, Dada Yusuf, is in dispute with the Ondo State Police Command over the circumstances surrounding his death, days after he was detained and allegedly tortured by operatives.
The family claims Yusuf died from complications arising from injuries inflicted on him during his detention, reigniting concerns about rising cases of police brutality.
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, a relative of the deceased, Afolabi Bisoye, alleged that Yusuf was unlawfully arrested by operatives of the Scorpion Squad in Akure on August 31.
According to him, Yusuf was beaten until he slipped into a coma, after which the police secretly rushed him to the Police Clinic in Akure.
He said the family later discovered that Yusuf had sustained a gunshot wound to the chest while in custody. He was referred to the Federal Medical Centre, Owo, where he spent several days on oxygen before dying on September 7.
“Instead of safeguarding him, the officers attempted a cover-up. Witnesses confirmed the Scorpion Squad was intoxicated during the assault and even harassed bystanders who tried to intervene. This case demands accountability for Yusuf’s life, which was unjustly cut short by police brutality,” Afolabi said.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer in Ondo, Olushola Alayande, dismissed the family’s claims. He said Yusuf was taken to the police hospital after falling ill and later referred to FMC Owo for dialysis treatment, insisting his death was unrelated to torture.
“The command rejects the allegations. Their son died while undergoing dialysis, which has nothing to do with torture. We uphold international best practices in policing and do not condone torture,” Alayande stated, adding that an internal investigation had been opened and the officers involved were under probe.
Yusuf’s death adds to a troubling list of cases linked to police brutality. In February, Abdulmujid Oduga, a newlywed, was allegedly tortured to death at the Ikota Police Post, Ajah, Lagos, after a dispute with his neighbour.
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Rights advocates and the victim’s family are calling for justice and stronger measures to end police violence, which continues to erode public trust in law enforcement.
