The tragic death of a newlywed man, Abdulmujid Igbamitayo Oduga, in police custody has sparked outrage, leading to the arrest of the investigating officer and the complainant involved in the case.
Oduga, who had been married for just four months, was detained at the Ikota Police Post in the Ajah area of Lagos following an altercation with a female neighbor on February 11, 2025. His family alleges that he was subjected to severe torture while in detention, leading to his untimely death.
Reports indicate that Oduga was not allowed to contact his family while in custody. His relatives only learned of his fate when his body was discovered at a morgue in Epe, where they allege the police had secretly deposited it.
A family member, identified by his social media handle @omoiyacele, raised an alarm online, accusing the police of covering up the circumstances surrounding Oduga’s death. In a post on X, formerly Twitter, he wrote, “My cousin, Late Abdulmujid Igbamitayo Oduga, was murdered by @PoliceNG just because of a mere misunderstanding between him and his neighbor. He died at the Ikota Police Post under Ajiwe Police Station located at Ajah under the IPO Azeezat. The corpse was deposited at Epe.”
He further appealed to the authorities, saying, “We urge the Nigeria Police to help our family look into this matter for a clear and true picture of what happened so that we can know who exactly killed our beloved son.”
Police React, Arrest Officer and Complainant
The Lagos State Police Command has since confirmed that both the Investigating Police Officer and the complainant have been taken into custody. The police spokesperson, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, issued a statement on February 19, 2025, acknowledging the ongoing investigation and promising that justice would be served.
“Investigations have since commenced. The Investigating Police Officer and the complainant are currently in custody at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Yaba. Meanwhile, an autopsy is about to be carried out to determine the cause of death, after which further necessary actions will follow,” Hundeyin stated.
He further assured the public that those found guilty would be held accountable. “Members of the public are assured that a thorough investigation will be carried out, and any person(s) found culpable will be dealt with in accordance with the law.”
Public Outrage and Call for Justice
Oduga’s death has sparked widespread condemnation, with Nigerians taking to social media to express their anger over police brutality and impunity. Many have called for a transparent investigation, fearing that the case might be swept under the rug.
Social media users have speculated that the police might attempt to manipulate the autopsy results to obscure the truth. A user on X lamented, “Allegedly, Nigerian autopsy will say it was heart failure. His body will have torture marks, but they will ignore them. Then they will test for drugs and blame his death on it. Everybody will move on… sad, ain’t it?”
Another user, @Calabarboy, voiced his frustration: “I hate Nigerian police and law enforcement with every fiber of my being. Most of them will not end well, and their children are cursed forever.”
A Pattern of Police Brutality?
Oduga’s case is the latest in a series of deaths in Nigerian police custody, raising concerns about human rights violations. In recent years, similar cases have emerged, prompting calls for urgent police reforms and the prosecution of officers involved in custodial deaths.
The #EndSARS protests of 2020 highlighted deep-seated issues of police brutality and extrajudicial killings in Nigeria. Despite promises of reform, incidents like Oduga’s death suggest that little has changed.
Legal experts and human rights activists argue that Nigeria’s policing system continues to operate with minimal oversight. “There is an urgent need for independent investigative bodies to probe cases of police misconduct,” said Barrister Jide Ojo, a legal analyst. “If the government is serious about ending impunity, officers involved in custodial deaths must be prosecuted and not merely transferred or suspended.”
