Man dies in police custody after arrest over neighbour’s complaint in Lagos

• Family seeks answers as police launch investigation, plan autopsy
A 29-year-old man, Oduga Mujeed Igbayitayo, popularly known as “pkaOlá” among friends, has reportedly died in police custody under unclear circumstances.

The incident began on February 11, 2025, at his residence in Chevron, Lagos, following an argument with his neighbour, identified as Stasia Nora.

The Guardian learnt that officers from Ikota Police Station visited Igbayitayo’s home that day and invited him for questioning regarding the complaint lodged by Nora.

An estate manager, Mr Jacob, who witnessed the arrest, confirmed seeing the officers drive Igbayitayo out of the estate. When he enquired about the arrest, the officers assured him it was related to the neighbour’s complaint and that Igbayitayo would return shortly.

Concerns arose when Igbayitayo failed to return home. Mr Jacob visited the Ikota Police Station twice but was informed that no one bearing Igbayitayo’s name was in custody.

The situation escalated on February 12, 2025, when Igbayitayo’s pregnant wife, who was staying with her mother-in-law in Ikorodu, became worried after failing to contact her husband. Upon reaching out to Mr Jacob, she was informed about the arrest.

Disturbed by the news, she alerted Igbayitayo’s siblings. The family promptly visited the Ikota Police Station, but officers continued to deny holding him in custody.

Matters took a dramatic turn when Igbayitayo’s sister, Abisola Bakare, created a scene at the station, insisting that the estate manager had witnessed the arrest. At this point, an officer admitted Igbayitayo had been brought to the station and contacted the Investigative Police Officer (IPO) handling the case.

During a phone conversation with the IPO, the officer assured the family that Igbayitayo would be released the following day. However, when the family pressed for clarification on why his presence at the station had been denied, the IPO revealed that Igbayitayo had been transferred to Ajah Police Division.

At Ajah Police Station, Abisola was invited to an office and informed that they needed her to accompany them to Epe mortuary. Shocked, she demanded answers, only to be told that her brother had died, and his body was at the mortuary. Abisola refused to follow the officers, lamenting that her brother had been alive when taken into custody and vowing to leave only with him alive.

In her plea for justice, Abisola stated: “Please Nigerians, come to our aid. He was invited for questioning, and the next thing we hear is that his body is in the mortuary. What happened to him in police custody? How did his body get there? We are helpless in this tragic situation. He has a pregnant wife and an aged mother. We need justice.”

When The Guardian contacted the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ajah, Onyiye Onwuamaegbu, declined to comment on the matter, saying that Ikota was under her jurisdiction but she was not authorised to speak on it.

MEANWHILE, Lagos State Police Commissioner of Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Benjamin Hundeyin said the matter is being investigated.

“Investigations have since commenced. The Investigating Police Officer (IPO) and the complainant are currently in custody at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Yaba.

“An autopsy is about being carried out to determine the cause of death, after which further necessary actions will follow.

“Members of the public are assured that a thorough investigation will be carried out and any person(s) found culpable will be dealt with in accordance with the law.”