An editorial in the Punch newspaper has called for an immediate forensic investigation into the death of Babajide Adelowo, a barber from Lagos who died after spending 28 days in police custody. The publication states that the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, must launch this probe following allegations that Adelowo was subjected to torture and unlawful detention by officers from the X-Squad of the Lagos State Police Command.
According to the report, Adelowo was arrested on October 6 without a warrant while at his shop. The X-Squad officers searched the premises and detained him. The family alleges that during his 28-day detention, Adelowo was denied access to lawyers and relatives. They claim he was suspended by his hands for prolonged periods, beaten, and left in a condition where he could not feed himself. "Doctors said he urgently required several pints of blood," the publication notes regarding his condition upon release. "The following day, Babajide was dead."
The editorial argues that the police have acted as investigators, prosecutors, and judges, violating the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, which prohibits detention beyond 48 hours without court appearance. The Punch emphasizes that if no incriminating evidence, such as firearms, was found, the prolonged detention lacks legal basis. The publication asserts that torture is not a valid investigative tool and that modern policing should rely on forensic methods rather than brutality.
The report places Adelowo’s death within a broader context of police misconduct in Nigeria. It references the case of Rizkat AbdulKareem, who alleged she was stripped and dragged through a market by police in October. The editorial also cites data from Human Rights Watch and Global Rights, noting thousands of extrajudicial killings by police over the past two decades. These abuses were a primary driver of the #EndSARS protests six years ago, which led to the disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad.
The Punch editorial concludes that the Nigeria Police Force must undergo significant reform. It suggests learning from jurisdictions like Japan and the United Kingdom, where policing emphasizes professionalism and human rights. The publication demands that culpable officers face criminal prosecution rather than administrative transfers. It calls for the installation of surveillance cameras in detention facilities and improved medical care for detainees. The editorial states that justice for Adelowo’s widow and child requires holding officers accountable and ending the culture of impunity that has persisted for years.