Police commissioner visits family of Kwara poly student killed by officers in Ilorin
BY Moridiyat Ariya
The Commissioner of Police for Kwara State Command led a team to offer condolences to the family of Qouym Abdulyekeen, a 200-level student of Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, who was reportedly killed by police officers last Wednesday.
Olaiya, who represented the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, led a team in solidarity with the family of the late Qouym Abdulyekeen in the Oke Andi area of Ilorin, Kwara State capital, on 11 September 2024.
A statement by the police spokesperson read: “The CP expressed gratitude to the family for their cooperation during the investigation and conveyed the IGP’s assurance that justice will be served.
“The IGP has directed the Federal Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) to take over the investigation, with all officers involved being transferred for a thorough and impartial inquiry.
“Speaking on behalf of the immediate family, Mr Muselim Abdulyekeen, the father of the deceased, and Mrs Ramat Abdulyekeen, the mother, expressed their appreciation to the Inspector General of Police and the Kwara State Police Command for their continued support.
“They reiterated their hope that the ongoing investigation will lead to justice for their late child. Alhaji Mohamed Kewugbemi, the family’s clergy, offered prayers and commended the police for their commitment to justice. Alhaji Erolalujana (Olori-Ebi) expressed his appreciation for the police’s support during this difficult time.”
According the statement, the police boss assured the family that the command is committed to ensuring justice and transparency in this case.
Identity of officers involved revealed
On Friday, police spokesperson Olumuyiwa Adejobi revealed that the officers involved in the incident were Inspector Abiodun Kayode, Inspector James Emmanuel, and Sergeant Oni Philip, all attached to the Department of Operations, Kwara State Command.
He added that the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has ordered the Homicide Section of the FCID Abuja to conduct a detailed and comprehensive investigation.
The police spokesperson said in his statement: “The Inspector General of Police, who is deeply saddened by this unfortunate event that has led to the loss of a young Nigerian, extends his deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the deceased. He acknowledges the profound grief and loss caused by this incident and reassures the family and the public that justice will be served.”
Earlier, police spokesperson ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi announced on X that the police officers involved in the incident had been arrested and detained.
Kwara polytechnic students demand justice
Meanwhile, the management of Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, and its students have demanded justice for the slain 21-year-old student.
Students of the polytechnic, 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.
In a press statement, they issued an ultimatum for the identification of the officers involved and demanded that the investigation be transparent and open.
They also requested compensation for the family of the slain student and called on the police to establish a student unit and address the harassment of students across the state.
The institution, in a statement by its spokesperson Halimat Garba, expressed sadness over the incident and called for a thorough investigation.
Background
Last week, students of Kwara State Polytechnic protested following the killing of their colleague.
Findings from The Informant247 suggest that Qouym was found dead after 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 Qouym, suspecting him of being an internet fraudster, and ordered him into their patrol vehicle.
Ismail explained that the officers demanded money for Qouym’s release, but the student insisted he had no money and was not a criminal but merely a student.
“He kept insisting he had no money. At some point, when the policemen were distracted by other people they had stopped, Qouym 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 Qouym was on a motorcycle. “The police chased the bike, 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, stated that he was also a victim of police extortion at the time of the incident as they were returning from a night party. He said he did not hear gunshots but noted that the policeman who chased the deceased found Qouym’s bloodied slippers in a gutter, although they could not locate him immediately.
