The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) yesterday debunked reports that a commercial motorcyclist, Onimisi Ilori was tortured to death by its operatives in Kogi State, while in custody.Ilori allegedly died in custody at the weekend in the Ogaminana area of Adavi Local Government Area of Kogi State, following a complaint that was lodged at the Ogaminana divisional office of the civil defense corps. The owner of the motorcycle, whose name remains unknown, had alleged that the deceased bolted with it.

The NSCDC in a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mr. Agiri Alex, explained that contrary to reports, the suspect was not tortured to death but that he committed suicide while in their cell.

Reports, however, had it that operatives at the Ogaminana division invited the suspect to their office for interrogation after the owner lodged a complaint. The suspect was said to have told them that the said motorcycle was stolen from where he parked it the previous day and that he reported the theft to the owner.

Ilori was said to have been tortured and detained in the NSCDC cell, where he was said to have breathed his last. Motorcyclists in the area invaded the NSCDC office, when they heard of the death of their colleague, chanting war songs and demanding the release of his body. Anti-riot policemen were drafted to the affected areas to forestall the breakdown of law and order.

Apparently angered by the death, a youth organisation under the aegis of Kogi Youths for Social Justice has called on the Minister of Internal Affairs to immediately sack the state Commandant, Mr. Everastus Ibiyo.

The suspect, Iloriwho, was until his death an Okada rider, alleged to have been tortured to death by the corps on Sunday for refusing to admit to haven stolen the motorcycle of his master.

The corps who interrogated the suspect were said to have pressed hard on the deceased under duress to confess that he stole the motorcycle, a situation which made them to allegedly torture him till the suspect gave up the ghost.

-Group calls for sack of commandant over death of suspect in detention-

President of the youth organisation, Comrade Adeiza Mohammed, in a statement, expressed worry over the claim of the NSCDC that the suspect committed suicide in their cell saying the organisation was economical with the truth.

The statement reads: “How can a suspect who was thoroughly searched and his cell phone, money and everything on him confiscated before he was detained and tortured to death now come to commit suicide? This is the lie of the century and we want the Federal Government to investigate this and bring all those involved in the murder of the innocent boy to justice, because the excesses of this civil defense guys are becoming too much,” the statement added.

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