Family demands justice after alleged torture of 23-year-old to death while in police custody

Tuesday, September 16, 2025 - The family of a 23-year-old man, Yusuf Dada, has accused the Ondo State Police Command of complicity in his death, alleging that he suffered fatal injuries after being unlawfully detained and tortured by officers.

Relatives insist that Yusuf died from complications linked to the treatment he received in custody, an incident that has once again reignited concerns about alleged police brutality in the country.

Speaking to our correspondent on Sunday, the deceased’s relative, Afolabi Bisoye, said Yusuf was arrested on August 31 by operatives attached to the Scorpion Squad in Akure. According to him, Yusuf was allegedly brutalised while in detention, leaving him unconscious.

“The family was not immediately informed. We only got to know after the police had taken him to a clinic in Akure, and later to another hospital. Despite doctors’ efforts, he could not recover,” Afolabi explained.

He also alleged that Yusuf was shot in the chest while in police custody and later placed on oxygen at the Federal Medical Centre, Owo, where he eventually died on September 7, 2023.

“Instead of protecting him, they tried to conceal what happened. Witnesses confirmed that the operatives were intoxicated during the incident and also assaulted bystanders who tried to intervene. This is a clear case of police brutality, and we demand justice,” he added.

Reacting to the allegations, the Police Public Relations Officer for Ondo State, SP Olushola Alayande, denied that Yusuf’s death was linked to torture.

According to him, Yusuf developed a medical condition while in detention and was first taken to the police hospital before being transferred to the Federal Medical Centre for dialysis treatment.

“The command categorically rejects the claim that the victim died from torture. He was referred for dialysis, and that has nothing to do with any alleged assault. The Ondo State Police Command upholds the best practices of law enforcement and does not condone torture,” Alayande stated.

He confirmed that the Commissioner of Police has ordered an internal investigation into the matter and assured that the outcome would be made public.

“At present, the officers mentioned are being investigated, and if any misconduct is established, appropriate action will follow,” the PPRO added.