Ogun Police Command Denies Torturing Suspect To Death 

Mobolaji Michael 

THE Ogun State Police Command has denied the alleged torture-to-death of a suspected cultist in its custody, saying, “It holds a strong commitment to upholding fundamental human rights laws, particularly when it comes to treatment of suspect”.

In a statement issued by the Command’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Omolola Odutola, stated “Torture is strictly against our protocols and principles. Ogun State Police Command is well versed in the legal framework that safeguards the rights of individuals in custody, free from all forms of cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment”. 

According to SP Odutola, the deceased, Oduyiga Seyi Samson, 39, died in the hospital, where he was rushed for medical attention, after behaving strangely in the cell. 

Oduyiga, a wanted cultist on the Command’s list, the PPRO said, was arrested on Saturday,  18 November 2023, alongside one Gbenga Adegoke, both notorious members of Buccaneer and Eiye confraternities, respectively, 

She said, “Following an intelligence report that suspected cultists on the wanted list of Ogun State Police Command were within the Atoyo area of Sagamu, on Saturday 18th November 2023, the Police swung into action on a covert operation, where two suspected cultists were apprehended. Oduyiga Seyi Samson (m), 39 years, and Gbenga Adegoke (m), notorious members of Buccaneer and Eiye confraternity were arrested”. 

On Interrogation, both Seyi and Gbenga made confessional statements about being members of the outlawed Buccaneer and Eiye Confraternity Secret cults. Seyi confessed he was initiated in 2015.

The PPRO further stated that the deceased was to be arraigned at an Isabo court in Abeokuta on Thursday, 23 November but was taken back to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID), Eleweran, same day, as the court did not sit. 

She said that Seyi was to be re-arraigned on the next court’s sitting, Friday, 24 November when, at about 5:00 am, he went berserk, shouting and biting other suspects in the cell until he got exhausted. 

Other suspects in the cell, it was gathered, alerted policemen on duty, following which, he was taken to the Police Hospital, and later to the Ijaye General Hospital, Abeokuta, alongside other suspects he bit in the cell. 

“While others were treated and discharged, Seyi gave up the ghost”,  the PPRO said, adding, “It is a fact of public knowledge that Sagamu Town witnessed a series of cult clashes, where five rival cultists were murdered.

“Every other allegation is hereby debunked, as the accurate position is what has been stated above. As soon as the autopsy report about the deceased is out, the Police will give further details. 

“However, the Commissioner of Police, CP Alamutu Abiodun Mustapha, commiserates with the deceased family”, the PPRO concluded.

Eighteen-Eleven Media