A police cell death in Ogun State has sparked outrage after 25-year-old farmer Peter Igbang died in custody days after his arrest over an alleged plantain theft. His family and community leaders are demanding a thorough investigation into the circumstances of his death.
Igbang, a farmer from Ipara in Remo North Local Government Area, was arrested on Saturday, October 17, over allegations that he stole a bunch of plantain. Police reportedly claimed that he hanged himself inside the cell using his clothing.
However, his relatives and community representatives have questioned the police account. They also raised concerns about the delay in informing his family and the conditions surrounding his detention.
Police Cell Death: Mother Demands Answers
Peter’s mother, Gift Joseph, said she learnt about her son’s arrest only on Tuesday, October 20, the day she received news of his death.
She said nobody contacted her after officers arrested him while he was returning from the farm.
“I have no other son; he is my only son,” she said, appealing to the authorities to answer her questions and help her find peace.
Gift explained that Peter had trained as a mechanic but could not complete his apprenticeship or establish a workshop. He later turned to farming and cultivated about six acres of land, growing cassava and plantain.
She also questioned how her son could have reportedly hanged himself while wearing his clothes inside the police cell.
Sister Questions Police Account of His Death
Peter’s elder sister, Juliet, said she received a phone call on the evening of October 20 informing her that her brother had died.
According to her, a woman who visited Peter in detention said he complained about hunger and a lack of food and water after his arrest. He reportedly asked that his family be contacted so they could arrange his release on bail.
Juliet and her mother visited the police station on Wednesday, October 21. She said an officer expressed condolences before informing them that Peter had allegedly hanged himself.
She questioned how he could have reached a high window inside the cell and why he was still wearing his trousers.
Juliet said officers explained that Peter used a bucket to reach the window. She also questioned why the bucket was inside the cell.
The family said these details left them uncertain about the circumstances of his death.
Community Leaders Raise Concerns Over Detention
Fidelis, a former chairman of the Ogoja community in Ipara, said police contacted him only after Peter had died.
He said he visited the station and saw the body inside the cell, with what appeared to be a rope around the neck and attached to a window.
Joseph, the current community chairman, also questioned the police explanation and the procedures followed during Peter’s detention.
He said community members wanted to know why Peter remained in custody from Saturday until Tuesday without his family being informed.
The community leaders called for answers about the detention conditions and the circumstances that led to the farmer’s death.
Monday Philip, another community member, said he had approached the complainant after Peter’s arrest to plead for leniency. According to Philip, the complainant said he wanted the young man to spend a month learning a lesson before returning home.
Family Calls for Thorough Investigation
Peter’s relatives and community members want the authorities to establish exactly how he died in custody.
Their concerns include the delay in notifying his family, the explanation that he used his clothing to hang himself, the presence of a bucket in the cell and conflicting accounts surrounding the incident.
The family is seeking clear answers and a transparent investigation into the death of the 25-year-old farmer.
The police explanation, as reported, has not resolved the concerns raised by Peter’s relatives and community leaders. An independent investigation would be necessary to establish the circumstances of his death and determine whether any wrongdoing occurred.