According to reports, Nigerian Police Inspector Taiye Atobiloye was left to die in police custody for refusing deployment.
Inspector Taiye Atobiloye, a police officer assigned to the Oke Onigbin Police Division in Kwara State, Nigeria, was tragically killed on Friday. Since his death was reported, there has been a great deal of outrage and concerns have been raised about the level of care the police force provides for its personnel.
The circumstances surrounding the demise of Inspector Atobiloye are extremely tragic. After 22 years of service, he was scheduled to be transferred to the Zone 8 Police Command in Lokoja, Kogi State. However, for medical reasons, the inspector was hesitant to make the move. Inspector Atobiloye had previously sustained a fractured limb in an accident, for which he was hospitalized and treated at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital. His leg injury and the accompanying medical reports were cited as reasons for his ineligibility for the special assignment.
According to Inspector Atobiloye's wife, Oluwabukola, he was pressured by senior officers to accept the deployment, and he traveled to Lokoja on Easter Monday with copies of his medical reports to request a reversal of the deployment. While in Lokoja, he was detained at the 'D' Division police station for unapproved absence from duty. After a few days of detention, his family learned that he was in critical condition, but they were unable to contact him to learn more about his condition. After a few days, he was pronounced deceased.
His wife claims that the police tortured him to death and took a large sum of money from him before arresting him. The police have not yet issued an official statement regarding the cause of his demise, but there are concerns that he did not receive sufficient medical care while in custody.
The death of Inspector Atobiloye has sparked outrage and demands for justice from Nigerians, with many questioning the welfare and treatment of police officers in the country. The police force has been criticized for not properly caring for its employees and for treating them inhumanely.
This tragic event highlights the need for improved police care and treatment in Nigeria. The police force must ensure that its personnel receive appropriate medical care when necessary and are not subjected to inhumane treatment while detained. Additionally, it is essential that the government takes the welfare of police officers seriously and provides them with the resources they need to execute their duties effectively.
The death of Inspector Atobiloye is a somber reminder of the dangers and difficulties police officers in Nigeria face, and it is imperative that the government takes measures to protect and provide for them. The police department must also ensure that justice is served and that those responsible for his demise are held accountable.