Three police officers have been taken into custody in connection with the alleged murder of Abdulqoyyum Abdulyekeen Ishola, an ND2 Electronic Engineering student from Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin.
The student was reportedly killed on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, in the GRA area of Ilorin by the detained officers. The officers, identified as Abiodun Kayode, Inspector James Emmanuel, and Sergeant Oni Philip, are attached to the Department of Operations, Kwara State Police Command.
Their detention follows a memo (Ref. No. CZ.5300/FpRD/FHQ/ABJ/Voll.6/230) dated September 9, 2024, in which the Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, ordered the Homicide Section of the FCID, Abuja, to launch a thorough investigation into the incident.
Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, disclosed that the Inspector-General is deeply saddened by the tragic death of the young student and extends his heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the deceased.
“The Inspector-General of Police who is deeply saddened by this unfortunate event that has led to the loss of a young Nigerian, expresses his deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the deceased,” Adejobi said in a statement.
The incident has sparked outrage, with many calling for accountability and a transparent inquiry into the circumstances surrounding Abdulqoyyum’s death.
The Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Victor Olaiya, had been accused of attempting to cover up the actions of police officers who allegedly shot and killed AbdulQoyum Ishola. The 20-year-old student was reportedly shot dead by officers along Panat Road, a link between Sango and Shoprite in Ilorin, on Wednesday.
READ ALSO : Police bursts child trafficking ring, rescues 16 children in Rivers State
The deceased’s brother, Abdullah Ishola, explained to Sahara Reporters on Monday that the police had refused to disclose the identities of the three officers responsible for the killing and are making efforts to suppress the case.
Abdullah refuted claims made by the Kwara State police, who allegedly linked his brother’s death to a protest over fuel price hikes. “My brother was shot on Wednesday and succumbed to his injuries early Thursday due to excessive blood loss caused by a severed vein at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital. It’s absurd for the police to say he was part of a protest. He wasn’t involved at all,” he explained.
He also disclosed that the officers in question were found with his brother’s sneakers, which AbdulQoyum had purchased for his school’s signing-out event, as well as his power bank. “It is deeply troubling that those entrusted with our safety are the ones taking innocent lives,” Abdullah said, urging the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to direct an immediate and transparent investigation into the matter.
Abdullah also expressed concern over reports that the Kwara State Police Command planned to detain the officers for two months before charging them in court. “This is a murder case, and the culprits have already been identified. Justice must be served swiftly,” he added.
Credible News.ng
