The Ikenne community in Ogun State has called for an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Demola Agboola, who allegedly died after being taken into police custody following a dispute between two young men.
The community, through the Ikenne Development Association UK Chapter and the Truth, Peace and Reconciliation Committee Stakeholders, said Agboola was not one of the original parties to the dispute but had intervened to mediate between them.
The call followed an earlier report by PUNCH Metro that Agboola, who was suspected of being a cultist, slumped and died while fleeing police arrest in Ikenne.
The report stated that a man had reported a threat-to-life case to the police and that he was later allegedly ambushed by Demola and some other suspects, prompting police intervention.
However, reacting to the incident in a statement issued by the President of the community association, Distinct Oreselu, the community gave a different account of the circumstances surrounding Agboola’s death and raised questions about his treatment by the police.
According to Oreselu, the incident began on Friday, August 21, 2026, at Glory Time Pharmacy, popularly known as Fugo Pharmacy, in Ikenne.
He said a young man identified as Anu had gone to the pharmacy in an ash-coloured Toyota Venza to buy medication for his mother when another man, Daniel, arrived in a Toyota Camry and parked behind him.
Oreselu said an argument broke out after Anu reportedly asked Daniel to reverse his vehicle so that he could leave, adding that the disagreement later became physical.
He alleged that Anu slapped Daniel during the confrontation.
According to the statement, Daniel later sought Agboola’s intervention, as the deceased was reportedly known in the community for helping to resolve disputes.
Oreselu said Agboola agreed to mediate and arranged a meeting between the two men around Kajola, Ikenne, at about 1 pm the following day.
He said Anu, who had already reported the matter to the police, informed the police about the planned meeting and also contacted some friends to accompany him.
“The police subsequently positioned themselves around Kajola before the scheduled meeting,” Oreselu alleged.
He said when Anu and Daniel arrived with their friends, Daniel allegedly became angry over the previous night’s incident and punched Anu, triggering another physical confrontation.
According to Oreselu, Agboola tried to intervene and appealed to both sides to maintain peace.
“It was at this point that the police officers who had allegedly been positioned around the area emerged and began apprehending some of the people present,” the statement said.
Oreselu said the Divisional Police Officer later arrived at the scene and Daniel was taken to the police station.
He alleged that Agboola left the immediate scene when the police arrived but was pursued by an officer.
According to him, Agboola repeatedly explained that he had convened the meeting to mediate between the two men, but the officer allegedly insisted that he follow him to the station.
He said the officer later contacted the DPO for assistance, telling him that he could not take Agboola to the station alone.
“When the DPO returned to the scene, eyewitnesses say he found Demola sitting on the ground, with Officer Toluwani standing beside him,” Oreselu stated.
He alleged that the DPO became angry, picked up a piece of firewood from a nearby house and used it to beat Agboola, while one of the officers allegedly kicked him in the chest as he sat on the ground.
Oreselu said Agboola subsequently told the officers that he was exhausted and could no longer walk.
The community leader further alleged that despite Agboola’s condition, the DPO initially attempted to have him taken to the station wearing only his boxer shorts, until some residents intervened and appealed for him to be allowed to put on his torn jeans.
The statement also alleged that Agboola repeatedly called for medical assistance.
According to Oreselu, Agboola was nevertheless taken to the police station rather than immediately to a hospital.
He said that while at the station, Anu, who had been asked to monitor Daniel’s vehicle parked at the scene, reportedly saw Agboola lying on the floor and pleaded that he be given medical attention.
Oreselu alleged that the DPO directed that Agboola be taken to hospital if Anu could do so, saying the officer believed the deceased was being “theatrical” despite his repeated complaints that he was tired.
The statement further alleged that Agboola was first taken to a private hospital along IYC Road, behind the Ikenne sawmill, but was rejected and referred to the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu.
Oreselu alleged that Agboola was transported in Anu’s ash-coloured Toyota Venza rather than a police vehicle.
He further alleged that instead of proceeding directly to OOUTH, the police instructed Anu to return to the station, saying the DPO had directed that they should come back.
“After about 20 minutes, they now moved down to OOUTH Sagamu,” the statement said.
Oreselu said Agboola was pronounced dead on arrival at OOUTH.
The community said the circumstances surrounding the death raised questions requiring an independent investigation, including what happened to Agboola during his encounter with the police, why he was taken to the station instead of receiving immediate medical attention and what injuries he sustained before his death.
Oreselu urged investigators to determine the identities and roles of all the officers involved and establish whether any alleged assault contributed to Agboola’s death.
“The community is not asking for anyone to be condemned without due process. What the people of Ikenne are demanding is a transparent, independent and credible investigation into the circumstances surrounding Demola’s death.
“Demola was not reportedly one of the original combatants in the dispute. He was there because he had undertaken to help resolve the disagreement peacefully,” Oreselu stated.
He urged the authorities to establish the truth and ensure that anyone found culpable was held accountable in accordance with the law.
Oreselu said an investigation would also help prevent a recurrence of what the community described as a tragic death arising from an attempt to settle a disagreement peacefully.
Meanwhile, the Ogun State Police Command had earlier stated that it was conducting a thorough investigation into the matter.
The Deputy Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Opeyemi Oluborode, told PUNCH Metro in August, “We are aware of this case. A very diligent investigation is currently ongoing to ascertain the facts of the matter.”