Family of boy allegedly tortured to death in Ondo police custody demands justice

THE family of  a 17-year-old Tolu Bobade, allegedly tortured to death by policemen attached to Divisional Police station in Ifon, Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State, has petitioned the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Olusegun Odusola, demanding justice.

Recall that the boy, who was arrested by the police reportedly died after being tortured while in their custody.

Subsequently, irate youths in the community protested his death by invading the police station and set it ablaze. 

Meanwhile, five suspected arsonists have been arrested by police in the state for setting ablaze the Divisional Police Station in Ifon. 

The state Police Commissioner, Wilfred Afolabi, disclosed this in Akure, the state capital, saying full investigation had been launched into the incident.

Meanwhile, in the petition by Dupe Bobade on behalf of the family, they called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding Tolu’s arrest, detention and eventual death.

The petition drew the attention of the Chief Judge to the fact that Mr. Bobade, aged 17, met his untimely death under circumstances that contravene the laws of Nigeria.

It noted that Tolu was arrested on February 14, 2025 by officers of the Ifon Police Division under the directive of Divisional Police Officer, DPO, Isadare Funminiyi.

The family alleged that during his detention, Tolu was subjected to severe torture, leading to his death on February 15, 2025.

It said: “In a grievous attempt to obscure their misconduct, the officers transported his lifeless body to Adelabu Hospital in Ifon, where it was rejected.

“Subsequently, they moved his remains to the Federal Medical Centre, FMC, in Owo, where it was deposited in the morgue on their own without the knowledge of the family.”