By Kamsi Anayo
A policeman, identified as Taiye Atobiloye, with service number 232980, attached to the Kwara State Police Command, has died in police detention facility at the D’ Division of the Kogi State Police Command.
The deceased was detained for allegedly being absent from his duty post for two days at the Zone 8 Command, Lokoja, Kogi State.
It was gathered that Atobiloye, who was attached to the Oke Onigbin Division in Kwara state, was on one month special duty, codenamed: ‘Quick Intervention’ at the Zone 8 Command.
It was gathered that he resumed duty at Lokoja, after he was said to have been absent from duty for two days and was later found and arrested by the authorities.
Atobiloye was detained in a cell to serve as a punishment for going on leave without permission.
He was alleged to have detained for eight days under painful and excruciating conditions leading to his unfortunate death.
“What happened was that every month, the Zone 8 Command usually picks policemen from every division and posts them for special duty for a month in Zone 8 Command, Lokoja, and after one month, the policemen will return home.
“So, Atobiloye, who was attached to the Oke Onigbin Division, was part of the policemen posted to Zone 8 Command, Lokoja, but when he resumed, he didn’t come for work for two days and was punished by being detained in a cell for about eight days.
“It was when policemen checked on him in the cell that they realised he had slumped and died in the cell. At the cell he was detained, only policemen who committed offence are usually detained there, so it is likely he was alone in the cell.” A source volunteered.
Femi Igbekele, a relative of the deceased cop, lamented on his Facebook page over the circumstances that claimed Atobiloye’s life.
He said efforts were made by his family members, including his wife, to contact him on the phone after he left for special duty proved abortive.
“AP No 232980 Inspector Taiye Atobiloye, serving at Kwara State Command, attached to the Oke Onigbin Division was sent to Lokoja Zone 8 on special duty called Quick Intervention.
“For the past eight days, all family members were calling him but no response from his phone number as the phone was ringing but nobody picked. Likewise his wife called him and nobody picked (up) the call until the information reached the family that he was detained at the D (Division) Lokoja, and died in the cell.” The post on Facebook reads in part.
The spokesperson for the Zone 8 Command, Ruth Awi, confirmed the ugly development, stating that Atobiloye, after reporting for special duty at the command, absconded from duty and was nowhere to be found for two days until policemen found him drunk.
She said the cop was detained for him to get himself, adding that he died in custody.
“He was not detained at the Zonal Headquarters, he was detained at the D’ Division in Lokoja.” She explained.
According to police, the deceased reported at the Zonal Headquarters and later disappeared, adding that there are punishments for people who abscond from duty without any excuse.
She said in the late Atobiloye’s case, he did not only stay away from work, he was drunk when he was found.
“For the effect of the drink to be cleared, the boss said he should stay in the cell for two days until he is fit for interrogation to explain where he went to and where he was coming from. So, he was detained at the D Division for about two or three days after which the news came to us that he gave up.” She added.