Osun Man’s Death In Police Cell: Family Demands Probe, Alleges Assault

The family of Taofiki Mustapha, who died in police custody in Agbeye, Odo-Otin Local Government Area of Osun State, has called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.

The demand was contained in a petition addressed to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone XI, Osogbo, seeking clarification on the events that led to Mustapha’s death at the Agbeye Police Outpost.

Mustapha reportedly died in the police cell after he was arrested over an allegation of stealing cocoa pods.

The Osun State Police Command had earlier said the deceased died by suicide while in custody.

The Police Public Relations Officer of the command, Abiodun Ojelabi, had explained that members of the community apprehended Mustapha over the alleged theft and took him to the community’s monarch, who subsequently directed that he be handed over to the police.

However, the deceased’s family, through its solicitors, L.S. Bello & Co., alleged that Mustapha was assaulted before he was taken to the police outpost, where he later died.

In the petition dated October 7, 2026, and filed on behalf of Madam Nafisat Taofiki, Oba Aree Ogboni-Abdul Wahab Oriade and Are Ogboni Kwara Awoyemi Elegbede, the petitioners accused the Agbeye Police Post and several individuals of alleged murder, assault and conspiracy.

Those named in the petition include Mufu Jimoh, Wasiu Egbebi, Taye Olaoye, Chief Ajasa and the Alagbeye of Agbeye, among others.

The petitioners alleged that Mustapha was beaten by some of the individuals over the cocoa theft allegation before the monarch directed that he be taken to the police outpost.

They also questioned whether the allegation of cocoa theft had been established, urging the police authorities to investigate the circumstances of Mustapha’s arrest, the alleged assault and his subsequent death in custody.

The family called on the Assistant Inspector-General of Police to ensure a comprehensive investigation into the incident and establish what transpired before the deceased’s death.

Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer at the Zone XI Command headquarters in Osogbo, Olanrewaju Ojedele, confirmed that two suspects had been invited for questioning and had made statements to the police.

“Two suspects, Kabiyesi and one other person, have been invited and they wrote statements on the issue. They were released thereafter. We are waiting for the postmortem result to know the other facts. The result will assist the police to unravel the circumstances surrounding the death,” Ojedele said.

The outcome of the postmortem examination is expected to assist investigators in determining the circumstances surrounding Mustapha’s death.