Following the death of 17-year-old Tolu Bobade, who was allegedly tortured to death by police officers at the Ifon Divisional Police Station in Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State, his family has petitioned the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Olusegun Odusola, seeking justice. Bobade was reportedly arrested on February 14, 2025, under the orders of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Isadare Funminiyi, and died in police custody within 24 hours from torture.
Outraged by his death, youths stormed the police station, setting it on fire. In response, the Ondo State Police Command arrested five individuals in connection with the arson. Commissioner of Police, Wilfred Afolabi, confirmed the arrests and mentioned that investigations into both Bobade’s death and the attack on the station were underway.
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In a petition submitted by Dupe Bobade on behalf of the family, they called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances of Tolu’s arrest, detention, and death, condemning the police’s actions as a serious violation of his human rights and abuse of power. The petition also accused the officers of trying to cover up their actions by transporting Bobade’s body to Adelabu Hospital in Ifon, where it was rejected. They then allegedly moved his body to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Owo and deposited it in the morgue without informing the family.
The family described this as a deliberate attempt to hide their misconduct. Human rights organizations have called for an independent investigation and condemned the ongoing issue of police brutality in Nigeria. However, the Ondo State Police Command has yet to provide a clear explanation for Bobade’s death.
