Three police officers have been arrested and detained in connection with the death of Suleiman Olayinka, a student from Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete.
Olayinka reportedly died after an alleged assault by the officers near Tanke Bridge in Ilorin, the state capital.
DSP Ejire Adeyemi Toun, spokesperson for the Kwara State Police Command, confirmed the arrests in a statement on Friday.
According to sources reported by DAILY POST, the incident occurred on Tuesday around 2 p.m. when Olayinka had just disembarked from a motorcycle.
He was approached by three officers who, according to eyewitness accounts, pulled him to the ground.
One witness said Olayinka had gone to collect N1,000 he had transferred to a Point of Sale (POS) operator to pay the motorcycle rider who brought him.
“I was with him. As soon as he got the money, the officers appeared from a tricycle and immediately forced him to the ground. The victim asked repeatedly what he had done wrong, but they didn’t allow him to explain,” the source recounted.
The witness further revealed that Olayinka, who had asthma, pleaded with the officers about his condition, but they allegedly ignored him.
Responding to the incident, DSP Adeyemi Toun stated, “The Kwara State Police Command is aware of this tragic occurrence leading to the death of Suleiman Olayinka, aged 27.
A case of cheating and breach of trust had been filed against the deceased, prompting the deployment of detectives to investigate.”
She added that the involved officers have been detained, and an investigation into the circumstances of Olayinka’s death is underway. “Further updates will be provided as investigations proceed,” the statement concluded.
