Kwara: Man dies in police custody over alleged debt

Jimoh Abdulquadri, a resident of Ilorin, the capital of Kwara State, has tragically passed away while in police custody. Abdulquadri was reportedly arrested on Friday at his residence for allegedly owing a friend ₦220,000.

The heartbreaking news of his death reached his family on Saturday.

In a viral video circulating on social media, grief-stricken family members were seen mourning at the deceased’s home.

Abdulquadri’s older sister, Aishat Biola, tearfully recounted how her brother was lured out of the house under false pretenses and subsequently taken away by police officers.

“My younger brother is the one who was killed. We were all here making jokes when they came to pick him up,” she said.

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“They sent people to deceive him away from here. Those who came to carry him away were on the road waiting.”

In a statement on Sunday, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, the police spokesperson in Kwara, said the deceased was “invited” over “an alleged case of obtaining money by false pretence to the sum of N220,000”.

Ejire-Adeyemi said a “discreet investigation” has commenced to ascertain the cause of the death.

“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 20th Dec, 2024,” the statement reads.

“The deceased was invited on an alleged case of obtaining money by false pretense to the sum of 220,000 thousand Naira.

“Discreet 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.”

On Sunday, Kayode Egbetokun, the inspector-general of police (IGP), visited the family of the deceased in Ilorin, Kwara state capital.

Egbetokun assured the family that the circumstances that led to the death would be investigated.

The case of Abdulquadri appears to be a civil matter.

On numerous occasions, police officers have been warned against being involved in civil matters, including loan recovery, land, and marriage cases.

Despite the numerous warnings, police officers are still involved in civil cases.

Section 32 (2) under Part VI (Powers of Police Officers) of the Nigerian Police Act 2020 stipulates that the police should not be involved in issues of civil wrong or breach of contract.