Police brutality in Kwara: unmasking the forces behind rights abuses
By Oluwatoyin Hawal Momolosho
From unlawful detentions to suspicious deaths in custody, growing evidence links security operatives in Kwara State to widespread abuses carried out under the guise of crime-fighting.
The saying “Police is your friend” has long been promoted by Nigerian authorities to symbolize public trust. But in Kwara, and much of the nation, the phrase now rings hollow. For many residents, encounters with the police are not about safety or justice—but fear, violence, and, in the most tragic cases, death.
This growing crisis reached a flashpoint in 2024 with the shocking death of Jimoh Abdulqodir Tunji, a young man from the Balogun Fulani community in Ilorin. Tunji was arrested by police operatives over a ₦220,000 debt—an amount reportedly being resolved privately. Just one day later, he was dead.
His family alleges he was beaten to death while in police custody. His brother, Ismail, recalled seeing blood streaming from his nose and severe head trauma. “They didn’t allow us to bail him out. We were already making arrangements to pay the debt,” Ismail said, his voice cracking with grief. “He was murdered. That’s the truth.”
Tunji’s case is part of a disturbing trend in Kwara. In October 2023, Suleiman Olayinka, a 27-year-old asthmatic, died after a violent encounter with officers at Tanke Bridge. A month earlier, in September, Ishola Abdulqoyum, a student of Kwara State Polytechnic, was shot dead by police along Panat Road. In each case, the families were left with more questions than answers. Justice—if it comes—moves slowly, if at all.
A National Plague of Abuse
These tragedies in Kwara are not isolated. They reflect a systemic problem across Nigeria, where police brutality is increasingly the norm.
Data from the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) paints a grim picture: from January to August 2024 alone, there were 582,173 reported human rights violations across Nigeria. Over 83,000 were linked directly to the Nigeria Police Force, military, and paramilitary agencies like the NSCDC.
Even more troubling are the abuses that go unreported. In Akwa Ibom, police extorted ₦10,000 from a resident for refusing to unlock his phone. In Lagos, commercial motorcyclists report routine harassment and illegal levies by officers. Journalists are also increasingly targeted—FIJ reporter Daniel Ojukwu was abducted by police in May 2024 and held for 10 days without charge.
Echoes of #EndSARS: A Cry Still Unheard
The 2020 #EndSARS protests marked a pivotal moment as thousands of young Nigerians demanded an end to police brutality. Yet, nearly five years later, many of the promised reforms remain unfulfilled.
Human rights activist Aisha Yesufu continues to raise her voice. “We cannot continue to let this cycle of violence go unchecked. Nigerians must demand real reform—not lip service.”
Femi Falana, SAN, echoed her concerns. “Police brutality in Nigeria is a product of a broken system. Without accountability and genuine reform, the violence will persist.”
Public Voices Rise
In Kwara, some political leaders are beginning to speak out. Jamiu Olokogboro, a local politician and PDP chairmanship candidate, called Tunji’s death a rallying cry for reform.
“Tunji’s death wasn’t due to criminal activity,” he said. “It was a minor debt dispute. He was denied bail and killed in custody. That’s not justice; that’s lawlessness.”
He emphasized that unless urgent reforms are enacted, public trust in law enforcement will continue to erode. “We must fight for justice—not just for Tunji, but for every Nigerian whose voice has been silenced.”
Police Response and Action
Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, Public Relations Officer of the Kwara State Police Command, confirmed that the officers allegedly involved in the killing of a student have been arrested and are in custody.
According to WikkiTimes, Olayinka was reportedly pulled off a motorcycle by officers from the Ganmo Division while trying to withdraw money from a Point-of-Sale operator. Despite informing them he was asthmatic, he was allegedly beaten severely.
Eyewitnesses told Sahara Reporters that Olayinka—known to be peaceful and non-confrontational—pleaded for an explanation. Instead, the officers continued beating him and threatened bystanders who tried to intervene.
Ejire later stated on social media that the officers acted on a complaint alleging fraud and breach of trust.
“The Kwara State Police Command is aware of the unfortunate incident involving Suleiman Olayinka, which led to his untimely death,” she said. “The complaint against him involved allegations of cheating and criminal breach of trust, prompting investigators to act.”
This follows the recent dismissal of three officers—Inspector Abiodun Kayode, Inspector James Emmanuel, and Sergeant Oni Philip—who were implicated in the fatal assault of Qoyum Abdulyekeen, a student of Kwara State Polytechnic.
