A newlywed man, Abdulmujid Oduga, has allegedly died from severe torture while in police custody at the Ikota Police Post in the Ajah area of Lagos State. The tragic incident has sparked outrage, with family members and social media users demanding justice for the deceased.
Arrest Over Neighbor Dispute Ends in Tragedy
Oduga was reportedly arrested following a misunderstanding with his neighbor. However, instead of being released or facing proper legal procedures, he was allegedly subjected to torture while in detention, leading to his untimely death.
A relative, identified as @Omoiyacele on X (formerly Twitter), described Oduga as his cousin and alleged that the police transferred his body to a morgue in Epe, Lagos State, without informing his family.
He wrote:
“My cousin, Late Abdulmujid Igbamitayo Oduga, was murdered by @PoliceNG just because of a mere misunderstanding between him and his neighbor. He died at the Ikota Police Post under Ajiwe Police Station located at Ajah under the IOP Azeezat. The corpse was deposited at Epe.”
He further urged police authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding Oduga’s death, insisting that his family deserves a clear and truthful explanation.
Family and Friends Demand Justice
Another family member, @Cherub, also took to X to call for justice, condemning the alleged brutality.
“A brother was murdered at Ikota police post, Lagos State, in collaboration with Ajah police station. This can’t continue in our nation while we keep quiet like it’s the norm. We want justice,” she wrote.
In one of the images shared online, Oduga’s sibling described him as the breadwinner of the family and accused the police of denying him access to contact his loved ones during his detention.
“They killed my brother, a whole breadwinner, just like that. He was arrested and locked up for a normal misunderstanding between two neighbors, without giving him access to contact his family or friends, and he was tortured till he gave up in the police cell.”
“All I want right now is justice. They can’t just kill my brother and get away with it. Nigerians, please help me out. He was detained without any offence. They came to arrest him at home, healthy, and now they are telling us he’s dead just like that.”
Police Response and Denial of Custodial Death
When contacted, Onyinye Onwuamaegbu, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ajiwe Police Station, did not deny the incident but clarified that it did not happen at her station.
“It did not happen here at the Ajiwe Police Station, not in our cell. It happened at the Ikota Police Post. There is a superintendent in charge whom you can reach out to,” she stated.
However, as of the time of filing this report, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, has not responded to calls or messages requesting an official statement on the matter.
Growing Concerns Over Police Brutality in Nigeria
This tragic incident adds to the growing concerns over police brutality and human rights violations in Nigeria, especially concerning custodial deaths. Activists, legal experts, and civil society organizations have consistently called for police reforms, accountability, and justice for victims of excessive force and extrajudicial killings.
Oduga’s family, along with concerned Nigerians, continues to demand a thorough investigation and justice, ensuring that those responsible for his death are held accountable.
