Police arrest officers involved in alleged killing of Kwara poly student

By Moridiyat Ariya

The Police in Kwara State have detained some officers in connection with the alleged killing of Abdulqoyum Bamidele, an ND 2 student at Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin.

The police spokesperson, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, announced the development on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday.

While Adejobi did not disclose the number or identities of the officers involved, he stated that the police commissioner in the state has ordered an investigation into the matter.

He tweeted, “The policemen involved in the alleged killing are in detention and being investigated. A post-mortem examination of the corpse will be carried out, despite being informed that the family had already buried him. We need this examination to ascertain the cause of death. This is crucial due to conflicting reports about his death.”

“Expert opinion is essential for justice, and this will be pursued. The FHQ has directed the CP to take necessary actions. Justice must be served. Thank you for your concern, and we pray that God grants him eternal rest. It is a sad story.”

What Happened

Last week, students of Kwara State Polytechnic protested following the death of their colleague.

Findings by The Informant247 revealed that Abdulqoyum was found dead after allegedly attempting to escape from police officers who were reportedly trying to extort him.

A colleague of the deceased, identified as Ismail, told The Informant247 that the police had stopped Abdulqoyum, suspecting him of being an internet fraudster, and ordered him into their patrol vehicle.

Ismail explained that the officers demanded money in exchange for Abdulqoyum’s release, but the student insisted he had no money, asserting that he was not a criminal but simply a student.

“He kept insisting he had no money. At some point, when the policemen were distracted by other people they had stopped, Abdulqoyum attempted to flee. He managed to get on a motorcycle but was chased by the police, who shot him,” Ismail recounted.

Another student, who wished to remain anonymous, confirmed that the incident occurred on Panat Road, a link between Sango and ShopRite, while Abdulqoyum was on a motorcycle. “The police chased the motorcycle, and a bullet hit him in the hand, causing him to fall. The policemen left without offering help, and the motorcyclist fled after being hit by the stray bullet.”

However, another student who claimed to be an eyewitness and also a victim of police extortion at the time of the incident, said it happened while they were returning from a night party.

He said he did not hear gunshots but noted that the policeman who chased the deceased mentioned finding Abdulqoyum’s bloodied slippers in a gutter, though they could not locate him immediately.

Stakeholders call for probe

Meanwhile, the management of Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, and the students have demanded justice for the slain 21-year-old student.

Students, led by the institution’s Students’ Union President, Olalekan Isola, and the National President of the National Association of Kwara State Students, Abdulwahab Habeebullahi Arewa, marched to the state police command headquarters in Ilorin to demand justice for their fellow student.

The institution, in a statement by its spokesperson Halimat Garba, expressed sadness over the incident and called for a thorough investigation.