Following the report of the demise of a photographer, Kola Adeyeye, who lost his life at Challenge area of Ibadan after being allegedly released from the custody of Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) Ibadan, friends of the deceased that were arrested together with him have confessed that the Police never tortured them as speculated on social media and a national daily.
An investigation conducted by newsmen revealed that the 50 years old photographer was not enjoying a sound health due to his heavy hemp smoking and addiction to liquor drinking prior to his arrest.
It was gathered that his closed associates that spoke with the press were apprehensive about this fact too.
The co-suspect that seems to be panicking about what could be the aftermath of full scale investigation launched by the Oyo State Police command into the matter, Razak Ayinde who claimed to be among the people raided at a smoking joint in Challenge area along with the deceased said they were never manhandled or beaten by SARS men while in their custody.
“We all knew Kola (the deceased) was not a healthy person because of his high drinking habit. He said he wanted to use an herb with liquor that night before we were all raided by the Police.
“Those of us close enough to Kola used to tell him to go slowly on his intake of all the herbal liquor drinks because we had noticed that it had been affecting his health.
“The SARS people didn’t beat us o. I’m just telling you this so that they don’t come after us again for telling lies. They could have released us that same day but we didn’t have identity cards on us because some of us who showed identity were released”, Razak who was a chieftain of the Challenge motor pack explained.
Speaking in the same vein, a friend of Kola Adeyeye who is also a co-suspect but sought for anonymity said the Police only asked them to provide any means of identification and explained their means of livelihood while narrating their ordeal with the police to the newsmen.
When the Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Ajisebutu Adekunle, was contacted, he confirmed the incident but absolved the police of any link to the Kola’s death.
“The suspect was not tortured in any way. It is not in the manner of the police to torture a suspect arrested during a raid. Death is inevitable to anyone at anytime, and it can come anywhere. You are aware that people sleep in their homes without waking up. So, his death has nothing to do with his arrest and detention.
“He was not the only one arrested. He was arrested during raids of black spots. The command has embarked on raids of criminal hideouts to curtail the activities of criminals in Oyo State.
“On the issue of the bail money, I will find out. If it is true, appropriate measures will be taken against those responsible. Bail is free,” Ajisebutu concluded.
Packaged by Olanrewaju Agiri
