Kwara: Police officers dismissed, charged to court over alleged killing of student

The Police on Friday announced that three dismissed officers from the Kwara State Command have been charged to court following their misconduct and corrupt actions that led to the death of a student from Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, Qoyum Abdulyekeen Ishola.

The officers, Inspector Abiodun Kayode, Inspector James Samuel, and Sergeant Oni Philip, face charges of criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide related to the student’s death. They have been remanded in prison custody pending further court proceedings, according to a statement from the police.

The officers were charged on October 16, 2024, by the Kwara State Police Command, under the directive of the Inspector General of Police.

The 21-year-old National Diploma 2 student in Electrical/Electronics, Qoyum Abdulyekeen Ishola, was allegedly killed by police officers during a student protest over a fuel price hike in Ilorin. The incident sparked widespread outrage, prompting the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to order an investigation and transfer the case to police headquarters in Abuja.

The investigation revealed that the dismissed officers were guilty of abandoning their post, engaging in corrupt practices, and unlawfully exercising their authority. Following a disciplinary trial, they were dismissed from the Nigeria Police Force, effective October 4, 2024.

A police statement emphasized the commitment of IGP Egbetokun to upholding justice and accountability, stating, “This decisive action highlights the unwavering commitment of IGP Egbetokun to ensuring that officers conduct themselves with integrity, and any breach of ethical standards, particularly in cases leading to loss of life, will be met with a stiff response.”

The police also extended their condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the deceased, expressing shared grief and a commitment to supporting them during this difficult time.