Death in Police Custody: Kwara Keenly Following Probe, Says Gov AbdulRazaq
•Saraki commiserates with bereaved family
Hammed Shittu in Ilorin
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State yesterday said the government is keenly following the probe into the sad death of Mr. Jimoh Abdulqadir in police custody.
AbdulRazaq therefore urged members of the public to remain calm.
Also yesterday, the former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has commiserated with the bereaved family of the suspect that was killed in police custody, urging the police chief to ensure that the case was not swept under the carpet.
However, in a statement issued in Ilorin by Governor AbdulRazaq, signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Rafiu Ajakaye, the governor said the prompt visit of the Inspector General of Police Egbetokun to the family of Abdulqadir raises greater hope about a thorough probe of the unfortunate incident.
Abdulrazaq specifically commended the IGP and his entourage for the visit to Ilorin within hours of being informed of the incident, urging the super cop to ensure that justice is truly done in the case.
“We are devastated by the death of Mr. Jimoh Abdulqadir. It was one tragedy too many for our community. It is unacceptable.
“While restating our commiserations to the Balogun Gambari Alhaji Abubakar Sidiq Atiku Fulani and the immediate family of the deceased, we are upbeat that the police hierarchy will get to the roots of the incident, ensure that justice is served, and step up efforts to address other alleged violations and reservations of the citizens,” the governor said.
He urged residents of the state, especially the youth, to remain calm, law abiding, and avoid hasty conclusions that may affect genuine resolutions of the issues.
“I also commend the Balogun Gambari of Ilorin and the youths of the area for the maturity with which the issue has been handled. We ask Allaah to repose the soul of Mr. Jimoh Abdulqadir,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, former Senate President, Dr. Saraki has sympathised with the bereaved family of the suspect that was allegedly killed in police custody in Ilorin.
He also commended the swift intervention of the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, who visited the family of the deceased and urged the chief cop to ensure proper investigation as well as prosecution of anyone found culpable in the tragic incident.
A statement issued in Ilorin yesterday by Dr. Saraki which was signed by his Press Officer on Local Matters, Mr. Abdulganiyu Abdulqadir, “the former
Senate President, Dr. Saraki described the incident as unfortunate, the death of a man known as Jimoh AbdulQodir Tunji, while in the custody of the Nigerian Police, Kwara State Command”.
Saraki commended the swift intervention of the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, who visited the family of the deceased and urged the chief cop to ensure proper investigation as well as prosecution of anyone found culpable in the tragic incident.
The former Senate President spoke on the sidelines of a delegation that visited the family of the deceased on his behalf on Monday at Erubu community, Balogun Fulani area of Ilorin.
The delegation, led by Mallam Otukoko Olayinka Ibrahim, also included Hon. Taiye Alaya, PDP House of Assembly candidate in the 2023 elections, Mr. Abdulganiyu Abdulqadir, Press Officer on Local Matters to Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, and Comrade Mufutau Aromaradu, Co-ordinator, 2024 PDP councillorship candidates’ forum.
Saraki described the incident as disturbing and commended the IGP for being proactive, even as he urged the police chief to ensure that the case was not swept under the carpet.
While praying for the soul of the deceased, Saraki sympathized with the family and prayed to God to grant the parents the fortitude to bear the painful loss.
