Sir: The cry for justice by Mrs Oluwabukola Atobiloye over her husband, Inspector Taiye Atobiloye of the Oke-Onigbin Divisional Headquarters, Kwara State, who died in police custody, while on special assignment at Zone 8 Headquarters, Lokoja, which covers Kogi and Kwara states, deserves thorough investigation.
There are two sides to this tale. Mrs Atobiloye claimed her husband was killed by his colleagues, after he was extorted by senior officers, while trying to alter his posting for a special assignment, a posting that had originally been rejected by the officer who was initially assigned to it.
The police claimed the late inspector was picked up drunk and detained for dereliction of duty. While in custody, he became sick and was taken to the hospital, where he died.
It is commendable that the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba, has ordered an investigation into the matter. To ensure impartiality, it is advisable that the investigation be carried out by police officers from other zonal commands. Using officers from Zone 8 Command to investigate this matter would definitely lead to conflict of interest and allegations of bias.
The neglect of a sick person in custody is callous and inhuman. It beggars belief, especially when the deceased allegedly presented medical records to prove why he was unfit for the assignment and wanted a redeployment. That he was held incommunicado without access to his family members or a doctor even after he had started showing signs of ill-health, is the height of man’s inhumanity to man.
This issue has, yet again, brought to the fore the need for reforms in the Nigerian Police. There is a need to investigate the causes of bribery for posting, promotion, and other forms of preference. And how to put a stop to this ugly trend.
Also, the welfare of officers needs to be taken care of when they are posted on special assignment or essential duty. This should include adequate accommodation and prompt payment of allowances.
Refurbishment of cells where detainees are held has become imperative to prevent avoidable deaths. If the police can be this cruel to one of their own, what they would do to the common man is better imagined than experienced.
•Peter Ovie Akus,
akuspeter@gmail.com