Student Dies by Suicide After Police Detention Over N8,000 Debt in Oyo

A 30-year-old aluminium worker and polytechnic student, Al-Amin Mohammed, has died by suicide three days after being released from custody in Ibadan, Oyo State, following a dispute involving an alleged N8,000 debt.

According to his family, Al-Amin was detained by the police and later remanded at the Agodi Custodial Centre after a disagreement with a Point-of-Sale operator identified as Kazeem.

The dispute reportedly began after Al-Amin borrowed N23,000 and repaid N15,000, leaving an alleged balance of N8,000. The disagreement later escalated after his mobile phone was allegedly seized.

Al-Amin was reportedly detained by a vigilante group before being handed over to the police at Sanyo Divisional Police Station on September 9, 2026.

His mother, Simiat Mohammed, said her son repeatedly complained that his reputation had been damaged and that he had been treated unfairly.

The family said Al-Amin was taken to court on September 10 and granted bail of N100,000 with two sureties. However, he remained at the Agodi Custodial Centre until his parents completed the bail conditions and secured his release on September 14.

According to his mother, Al-Amin became withdrawn after returning home. He reportedly stopped eating and frequently spoke about his experience in police custody and prison.

Three days after his release, on September 17, the family said he ingested rat poison at his residence in Ibadan. He was taken to several hospitals before eventually reaching the University College Hospital, where doctors confirmed his death.

His family is calling for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his arrest, detention and prosecution. They also want authorities to determine whether any police officer abused their authority.

A retired Deputy Superintendent of Police, Isiaka Ayole, also called for an independent investigation, particularly into the alleged involvement of a vigilante group in the initial detention.

However, Kazeem gave a different account of the incident. He said he only wanted Al-Amin to settle the money owed and take responsibility for damage allegedly caused to a phone during a struggle.

Kazeem denied intending to pursue the matter as a prolonged legal dispute, saying that the money he had spent on the case had exceeded the amount Al-Amin allegedly owed.

The Oyo State Police Command said its spokesperson, Ayanlade Olayinka, was not aware of the incident when contacted. A subsequent message sent to him had not received a response as of the time the report was filed.

The Mohammed family has appealed to the Inspector-General of Police, President Bola Tinubu and the Oyo State Government to investigate the circumstances surrounding Al-Amin's death.

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