Osun man dies in police cell after cocoa theft arrest

The family of a 40-year-old man, Taofeek Azeez, has demanded an investigation into his death in police custody in Osun State, describing the circumstances as suspicious.

Azeez reportedly died hours after he was detained at a police outpost in Agbeye, Odo-Otin Local Government Area, over an allegation of stealing cocoa seeds.

His brother, Fatai Alimi, said the family was shocked by reports that Azeez had taken his own life in the cell.

“It was surprising to hear that he had killed himself inside the cell; his death looks suspicious,” he said.

Alimi urged the Osun State Commissioner of Police and the state government to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death and ensure justice for the family.

He said Azeez left home for the farm on Tuesday morning, but the family later learnt that he had been arrested over the alleged theft.

According to him, local vigilantes first took the deceased to the palace of the Alagbeye of Agbeye before handing him over to the police.

Alimi also alleged that Azeez was subjected to corporal punishment and stripped half-naked before he was taken to the palace.

He said the deceased left behind six children, three wives and an aged mother.

Confirming the incident, the Osun State Police Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, said preliminary findings indicated that Azeez died by suicide while in custody.

Ojelabi said community members apprehended Azeez over the alleged theft of cocoa seeds and took him to the monarch, who directed that he be handed over to the police.

The police spokesperson said Azeez was questioned and detained at the police outpost, but an officer later discovered him dead while checking the cell.

He added that the officer in charge of the cell would be interrogated as part of the investigation.

“We are taking necessary steps to interrogate the officer in question, but our investigation so far shows that it is a case of suicide,” Ojelabi said.

The police said the deceased’s family had been contacted, while the family continued to demand answers over the circumstances of his death.