Osun State Police Command has commenced investigation into the death of a suspected cocoa thief identified simply as Taofeek while in police detention in Agbeye, Odo-Otin Local Government Area of the state.
The command in a statement by its spokesperson, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi on Wednesday disclosed that it was investigating the circumstances surrounding the suspect’s death.
Ojelabi, who confirmed the incident on Wednesday, said the suspect was detained after being questioned by officers at the police outpost.
Ojelabi said, “The deceased was apprehended by members of the community for allegedly stealing cocoa seeds.
“After arresting him, they took him to the monarch of the town, who, in turn, instructed them to hand him over to the police.”
He explained that the officer in charge discovered the deceased after going to check on him in the cell, adding that the police’s preliminary findings indicated that he had committed suicide.
“A few hours later, when the officer went to check on him in the cell, he had committed suicide. He committed suicide inside the cell,” the police spokesperson said.
Ojelabi disclosed that the police officer in charge of the station had been interrogated as part of efforts to establish what happened before the suspect’s death. He said no arrest had been made in connection with the incident.
“We are taking necessary steps to interrogate the officer in question, but our investigation so far shows that it is a case of suicide, and the family has been contacted,” Ojelabi said.
He added that the deceased’s remains had not been claimed by his relatives, while discussions were ongoing with the family concerning arrangements for the corpse.
The police also said they had no information indicating that Taofeek was paraded or humiliated before being handed over to the authorities.
Taofeek was reportedly arrested on Monday by community volunteers after he was allegedly found with stolen cocoa seeds, according to residents familiar with the incident.
The statement said, “Following his arrest, the suspect was said to have been taken to the palace of the traditional ruler in the community before being handed over to the police at the Agbeye Police Post.”
A resident, who requested anonymity for security reasons, said the community had experienced repeated incidents of cocoa theft before Taofeek was apprehended.
“He was arrested by some local volunteers on Monday. He is a known personality in our community, and upon his arrest, he was taken, alongside the cocoa seeds he stole, to the palace,” the resident said.
The source added that Taofeek was subsequently transferred to the police post, but residents received news early on Tuesday that he had been found hanging inside the detention cell.
“From there, he was moved to the Agbeye Police Post that same Monday, but early on Tuesday, news filtered in that he was found hanging in police detention,” the source said.
Osun police commence investigation into death of suspected cocoa thief