The Oyo State Police Command has denied detaining and charging a student to court over an outstanding N8,000 debt, saying the criminal case against him arose from allegations of assault and malicious damage.

Also, police officers in Cross River State were cautioned against extorting commercial drivers and tricycle operators. The state command directed motorists and riders to report any unlawful demands by personnel during stop-and-search operations.

The police in Oyo were reacting to a social media publication titled, “They Ruined My Reputation: Student Commits Suicide After Oyo Police Detention Over N8,000 Debt.”

In a statement issued on Saturday by the Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, the command described the report as false, unfounded and misleading.

It said investigation showed that the deceased had approached a female Point-of-Sale (PoS) operator to collect N23,000 in cash, with the intention of transferring the same amount to her through a PoS transaction.

It said the woman handed him the money, but he allegedly left without making the transfer or returning the cash.

The police said he later refunded N15,000, leaving an outstanding balance of N8,000, which he allegedly refused to pay.

The complainant subsequently took possession of his mobile phone pending repayment of the balance, according to the statement.

The command said the dispute escalated on September 8, when the suspect allegedly went to the complainant’s residence at about 10:00 p.m., assaulted her and damaged her Airtel SIM registration machine, valued at N177,000.

It said members of the community intervened in an attempt to resolve the dispute, but the effort failed, after which the suspect and the complainant were taken to the police station by vigilantes.

The police said officers listened to both parties and made another attempt to settle the matter amicably, but the complainant insisted on pursuing the case in court.

“Accordingly, having regard to the facts established during investigation and the evidence available, the suspect was charged to court for assault and malicious damage, and not for the outstanding N8,000,” the statement said.

The command stressed that the N8,000 was an outstanding balance from the earlier financial transaction but was not the basis of the criminal charge.

It added that although the court granted the suspect bail after his arraignment, he was subsequently remanded at the Agodi Correctional Centre because he was unable to immediately meet the bail conditions.

The deceased was later released after meeting the conditions, the police said.

On his reported death, the command cautioned against drawing a direct connection between the police case and the death without verified facts establishing such a link.

“The circumstances surrounding the death should therefore be determined through appropriate investigation and established evidence, rather than through an inaccurate or incomplete narrative,” it said.

Meanwhile, the Cross River State Police Command warned its personnel against extorting commercial drivers and tricycle operators, following complaints of alleged unlawful payments during stop-and-search operations.

The warning was issued during an engagement with transport stakeholders at Atakpa Police Division, Calabar, as part of efforts to strengthen community policing and address complaints of police misconduct.

The meeting followed a recent publication alleging extortion of commercial drivers and tricycle operators along Calabar Road to Watt Market and adjoining areas.

The Commissioner of Police, Ajo Geoffrey Ordue, represented by the Divisional Police Officer of Atakpa Police Division, CSP Azenda Peter, said no police officer was authorised to demand, solicit or compel motorists or riders to make payments during stop-and-search operations or other lawful duties.