[News] Police launch investigation after suspected cultist died in cell in Ogun

The Ogun state police command says it has commenced an investigation after a suspected cultist died in a police cell.

A statement released by the spokesperson of the command, SP Omolola Odutola, says following an intelligence report that suspected cultists on the wanted list of the command were within Atoyo area of Sagamu, on Tuesday November 18th 2023, the police swung into action on a covert operation  where two suspected cultists identified as Oduyiga Seyi Samson  “m” 39 years and Gbenga Adejoke ‘m’, both notorious members of Buccaneer and Eiye confraternity were arrested.

Odutola said on Interrogation, both Seyi and Gbenga made a confessional statements to being members of the outlawed Buccaneer and Eiye confraternity Secret cult. Seyi confessed he was initiated in 2015.

Denying claims that Seyi died after he was brutally tortured by men of the police command, Odutola said the deceased was already charged for Cult related activities and he was taken to court on Thursday, 23rd November 2023 where he was to be arraigned before a special Court on cultism case in Isabo Abeokuta, but the honourable Court did not sit, and he was brought back to Eleweran in  Abeokuta the same Thursday.

Seyi was to be taken back to the court at the next available day that the Court will sit, which is on Friday, 24th November 2023.

‘’However, on Friday, 24th November, at about 0500 hours, Seyi went berserk, shouting, bitting with teeth, and assaulted other suspects in the cell until he got exhausted. Other suspects in the cell alerted policemen on duty. He was taken to the police hospital and later to Ijaye General Hospital Abeokuta, along with other suspects he gave bites in the cell for medical treatment against infection. Other suspects were treated and discharged, but Seyi, while on medical attention, later gave up the ghost.”

She said that as soon as the autopsy report about the deceased is out, the Police will give further details.

The police spokeswoman added that Ogun police command holds a strong commitment to upholding fundamental human rights laws, particularly when it comes to treatment of suspects.

She stressed that torture is strictly against its 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” Odutola said