Three police officers has been arrested and detaibeed for allegedly beat a Kwara State University (KWASU) student to death at Tanke Bridge in Ilorin, the state capital.
The deceased was identified as Suleiman Olayinka. The 27 year-old was said to be asthmatic. The state Police Command confirmed the arrest of the suspects.
Olayinka was allegedly killed by the policemen last Tuesday at around 2:00 pm.
An eyewitness said the incident occurred when Olayinka got off a motorcycle and was approached by three officers, who then dragged him to the ground.
The deceased was said to have gone to collect N1,000, which he had already transferred to a point-of-sale operator to settle the fare for the commercial motorcycle rider who brought him.
“I was with him. As soon as he got the money from a PoS operator, the officers came out of a tricycle and dragged him to the ground. The victim kept asking what offence he had committed, but they didn’t let him speak. All his pleas were ignored,” the witness said.
Confirming the arrest of the suspects, the state police spokesperson, DSP Ejire-Adeyemi Toun, in a statement issued on Friday, said“The Kwara State Police Command is aware of this unfortunate incident, which led to the sudden death of Suleiman Olayinka (M), 27 years old.
“A complaint of cheating and criminal breach of trust was reported against the deceased. Police detectives were immediately assigned to investigate the case.
“Meanwhile, the officers involved in the incident have been identified, arrested, and detained for further investigation regarding the death of the suspect.
“Further updates will be provided promptly as investigations unfold.”