The family of Taofiki Mustapha, who died while being held at the Agbeye Police Post in Osun State, has demanded an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.
According to The PUNCH, the family submitted a petition to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police at the Zone XI Command headquarters in Osogbo.
Mustapha, a father of seven, was reportedly arrested after being accused of stealing cocoa pods in Agbeye.
His relatives alleged that he was beaten before being handed over to the police.
Family alleges assault before detention
In a petition submitted through their lawyers, the family requested an investigation into the actions of community members and police officers involved in the incident.
The petition alleged that Mustapha was accused of stealing 13 cocoa pods and assaulted before being taken to the police station.
The family maintained that the allegation of theft had not been established.
Relatives also questioned how Mustapha died while in police custody.
Police confirm investigation into death
The Police Public Relations Officer of Zone XI, Olanrewaju Ojedele, confirmed that investigators had questioned two individuals over the incident.
“Two suspects, Kabiyesi and one other person, have been invited, and they wrote statements on the issue,” he said.
Ojedele explained that the individuals were released after providing their statements.
According to him, Mustapha was accused of stealing cocoa pods on October 5.
He was allegedly beaten and paraded around the community before being transferred to the police.
The following morning, he was found dead in the cell.
Autopsy result awaited
Police disclosed that Mustapha’s body was taken to the Osun State University Teaching Hospital for a postmortem examination.
Investigators are awaiting the results to establish the circumstances surrounding his death.
The family has called for accountability and an investigation into everyone involved.
No court has established responsibility for his death, and the investigation remains ongoing.
