The Network on Police Reform in Nigeria has called on President Muhammadu Buhari, to order investigation into the death of the principal suspect in the Offa, Kwara State robbery incident, Michael Adikwu.
NOPRIN called for the investigation into the death of Adikwu in a statement by its National Coordinator, Okechukwu Nwanguma, on Wednesday.
The Kwara State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Kamaldeen Ajibade, disclosed this on Wednesday during the arraignment of five other suspects implicated in the robbery incident in which over 30 persons, including nine policemen, were killed.
Reacting to the development, NOPRIN said: “The widely expressed fears about the fate of Adikwu, the prime suspect in the Offah robbery, has finally been confirmed by the police who eventually said he died in custody.
“But there is the need to inquire into the circumstances surrounding Adikwu’s mysterious death.
“Suspicion arose when police arraigned other suspects without Adikwu whom others suspects said in their statements to the police, not only masterminded the robbery but was also in possession of the proceeds of the robbery which saw several banks freely robbed for hours, a police station attacked with scores of people, including police officers killed and huge sums of money robbed and police arms carted away.
“The police had all along remained silent to questions about the whereabouts of Adikwu, with many outrightly accusing the police of murdering the prime suspect with a view to converting the proceeds of crime, including cash which ought to be exhibits during the trial.
“Now that the police have eventually admitted that Adikwu is dead, and considering the widespread suspicion that the police may have murdered him, NOPRIN calls on the President who is the operational head of the police to order an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding Adikwu’s suspicious death in police custody. The police should also be made to account fully for the cash and other exhibits recovered from Adikwu.”