He didn’t die from torture – police deny involvement in death of detainee

Ogun State Police Command refuted on Sunday that one Oduyiga Seyi Samson, 39, an alleged cultist, was tortured to death in its detention facility.

The spokesperson for the state police command, SP Omolola Odutola, disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists on Sunday.

The police explained that Oduyiga and another alleged cultist, Gbenga Adejoke and members of the outlawed Buccaneer cult group were arrested around the Atoyo area of Sagamu in the wake of reprisal cult clashes that rocked the town in October.

The police disclosed further that Oduyiga and Gbenga, during interrogation, allegedly confessed to being members of the outlawed Buccaneer cult.

 The police said that the alleged cultist died at the Ogun State Hospital in Ijaye, Abeokuta, where he was rushed to after going berserk, attacking and biting other suspects in the cell.

The statement reads, “It is a fact of public knowledge that Sagamu town witnessed a series of cult clashes where 5 rival cultists were murdered.

“Following an intelligence report that suspected cultists on the wanted list of Ogun State Police Command, were within the Atoyo area of Sagamu, on Tuesday 18th November 2023, the police swung into action on a covert operation where two suspected cultists were apprehended.

“Oduyiga Seyi Samson “m” 39 years and Gbenga Adejoke ‘m’ notorious members of Buccaneer and Eiye confraternity were arrested.

“On interrogation, both Seyi and Gbenga made confessional statements to being members of the outlawed Buccaneer and Eiye confraternity Secret cult. Seyi confessed he was initiated in 2015.

“The Ogun State Police Command vehemently refutes that the deceased was tortured to death as it is being speculated in some online media. Ogun police command holds a strong commitment to upholding fundamental human rights laws, particularly when it comes to the treatment of suspects.

“Torture is strictly against our protocols and principles. Ogun State Police Command is well-versed in the legal framework that safeguards the rights of individuals in custody, free from all forms of cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment.

The police said for the records, “The deceased was already charged for cult-related activities, and he was taken to court on Thursday, 23rd November 2023 where he was to be arraigned before a special court on cultism case in Isabo, Abeokuta, but the honourable court did not sit, and he was brought back to Eleweran in Abeokuta the same Thursday.

“Seyi was to be taken back to the court on the next available day that the court will sit, which is on Friday, 24th November 2023.

“However, on Friday, 24th November, at about 0500 hours, Seyi went berserk, shouting, biting with teeth, and assaulting other suspects in the cell until he got exhausted. Other suspects in the cell alerted policemen on duty.

“He was taken to the police hospital and later to Ijaye General Hospital Abeokuta, along with other suspects, he gave bites in the cell for medical treatment against infection. Other suspects were treated and discharged, but Seyi, while on medical attention, later gave up the ghost.

“Every other allegation is hereby debunked, as the accurate position is what has been stated above.

“As soon as the autopsy report about the deceased is out, the police will give further details. However, the Commissioner of Police, CP Alamutu Abiodun Mustapha, commiserates with the deceased family”.