The family of the late Taofiki Mustapha, who reportedly died in the custody of Agbeye Police Post, has called on the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone XI Command headquarters in Osogbo, Osun State, to probe the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Ravenewsonline reports earlier reported that Taofiki, a husband of four wives and father of seven children, was found dead inside the police cell after he was arrested by some people in Agbeye for allegedly stealing cocoa pods and handed over to the police.
Confirming the incident, the Osun Police Command Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, said, “The deceased was apprehended by the community for allegedly stealing cocoa seeds. After arresting him, they took him to the monarch of the town, and the king, in turn, instructed that they should hand him over to the police.”
The relations of the deceased, a leader in the Ogboni cult society, are, however, calling for a probe of the death in a petition addressed to the office of the AIG, Zone XI, a copy of which was obtained in Osogbo on Tuesday by Ravenewsonline
Alimi, who added that Azeez was a father of six children from three wives and had left behind an aged mother, urged the authorities to ensure that the circumstances of his death were thoroughly investigated.
Confirming the incident, the Osun State Police Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, said Azeez had been apprehended by members of the community over the allegation of stealing cocoa seeds before being taken to the monarch, who directed that he be handed over to the police.
“The deceased was apprehended by the community for allegedly stealing cocoa seeds. The monarch instructed the community members to transfer him to the police outpost, where he was questioned and detained.
“A few hours later, when the officer went to check on him in the cell, he had committed suicide,” the police spokesperson stated.
He added that the officer responsible for the cell would be interrogated as part of the investigation.
Ojelabi said the police had contacted the deceased’s family and were taking necessary steps to question the officer in charge, although preliminary findings indicated suicide.
