- Nigerian farmer Olajide AbduKadiri Jimoh allegedly died in police custody after being arrested over a ₦220,000 debt
- The police claimed he hung himself, but his family alleged he was tortured, as an autopsy revealed a broken skull and bruises
- Social media critic VeryDarkMan has called for justice, questioning the police’s version of events
The internet is in an uproar after a video surfaced of Nigerian social media critic, VeryDarkMan, calling out the Nigerian Police Force over the controversial death of Olajide AbduKadiri Jimoh. The viral video has ignited widespread outrage, with netizens demanding answers and justice from the authorities.
VeryDarkMan posted a video on Instagram on Monday, March 10, to raise critical questions about the tragic incident and urged the police force to provide immediate explanations for the victim’s family.
Jimoh, a 35-year-old farmer, was reportedly arrested on December 20, 2024, by the Kwara State Police Command over a debt of N220,000 owed to Gabriel Sunday of Olla Farm, Offa Road, Kwara State.
According to reports, Jimoh’s family was informed that he would not be released until the debt was settled. His mother, a poultry trader, offered N175,000, but the police allegedly refused to grant him bail. It was only after his younger sister contributed the remaining balance that the full payment was accepted.
Despite settling the debt, Jimoh remained in custody as police claimed the complainant was unavailable. In a shocking turn of events, the family received a call at 2 AM, asking them to come and pick him up. Suspicious of the unusual timing, they waited until the next day—only to be informed that he had died in custody.
According to VeryDarkMan, the family of the deceased made a disturbing discovery when they visited the cell where Jimoh was being held. The cell was found to be splattered with blood, and to their horror, the police had already transferred Jimoh's body to the mortuary without their knowledge.
Further investigation revealed that Jimoh's body had stitches all over, and the police claimed that he had taken his own life by hanging.
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, visited the family to commiserate and assure them of a dispassionate investigation.
They ran an autopsy and the result contradicted the statement given to the family. His family alleged that he was tortured, as the autopsy revealed wounds on his body, including a broken skull and bruises. However, VeryDarkMan alleged that the police had since gone silent on the case.
VeryDarkMan questions the police force
Expressing skepticism over the police’s account, VeryDarkMan directly challenged ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the police public relations officer, with a series of unsettling questions.
“How is it possible for a 6 ft tall man to have hung himself while kneeling with a bandana? I believe that police take everything from you except your clothes, so how did a bandana get so long to end a man's life in a hanging position?
“How does somebody hang themselves by kneeling? Where were the police that were supposed to be guarding the cell, till someone hung himself?”
He further raised concerns about possible organ harvesting, stating:
“Not to speak on an innuendo basis, but I am suspecting that his organ might have been removed. I don't know, but it is not making any sense. How do you move him to the mortuary and you've already opened him?
“What is the purpose of the police in society if not to settle disputes and to catch criminals. The major reason the guy was brought in was because he owed money, they brought the money, why didn't you let him go? What was the point of keeping him there?
“The family of Olatunji and I are asking for justice, Police PRO Olumuyiwa Adejobi, what happened to Olatunji in the Kwara State Police Command? IGP, you've gone there, tell your boss to provide the truth about Olatunji's death.
Netizens weigh in on Olatunji Jimoh's mysterious death in police custody
The circumstances surrounding Jimoh's death have raised serious concerns about police brutality and misconduct and has ignited fear among netizens, who reacted to the incident. Here are some reactions below;
@AsakyGRN stated: “.This VeryDarkMan's new video about the Nigerian police has unlocked a new fear in me 😳.”
@bigtannygram stated: “This is scary police station is not a safe place anymore.”
@donteddy15 stated: “It has also unlocked a new FEAR in me too. However, let us all make sure we record our loved ones whenever they are in police custody. Make sure they repeatedly say they don't intend to commit suicide in police custody. @NigeriapolicePR @PoliceNG How long do you intend to destroy our trust? This is SCARING!!!”
@plug08066 stated: “Just today, a policeman advised me not to argue with police in the middle of the night or on an empty road. You can imagine how that situation came about. He told me about fake policemen in Lagos who are working in collusion with real policemen. These counterfeit officers have connections everywhere. He mentioned that they even have an office in one of the GRA areas in Lagos. If they catch a young person driving a nice car, they can transfer you to a location like Enugu or even somewhere in Borno, where none of your family would be able to reach you until you pay them millions. If you have the means to leave this country, please do so as soon as possible..”
@TheVulcan1759 stated: “@DavidHundeyin exposed this organ trafficking with that Iniubong Umoren case. Nigeria is a crime scene, and the biggest culprits are the men in uniform..”
@Xperience_Snr stated: “They would've killed the sister as well if she had went down the station that night immediately they called. 😲💔.”
@TVNDEY stated: “Omg💔 , so police are now organ harvesters in disguise, Omo this is fvcking scary I swear . God pvnish those involved in wasting this innocent man’s life..”
@AshE_Neul stated : “Owes money - They brought the money. Let him go - Police said NO
come back next day - he hung himself. How - with a Bandana..”
@makanakiiiiii stated: “Who knows why the family was called at 2am to come take their brother… Maybe they had plans to kpai them too🤦🏾♂️ See why it’s difficult to trust or feel safe around @NigerianPolice Even in police custody you’re not safe!!! These people are turning this country into a zoo.”
@iamtoch1 stated: “In Nigeria, owing someone money is typically considered a civil matter, not a criminal one. This means it's a dispute between individuals that should be resolved through civil courts, so why is the police doing the job of the court?”
“Just resign”: Nigerians react to IGP’s remarks on police accountability in criminal justice reform
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun called Nigeria's criminal justice system "weak" and "sick," adding that police were not to be solely blamed.
Nigerians criticised the IGP’s statement, with some suggesting the police were at the centre of the criminality.