Oyo student dies after taking rat poison days after police detention over N8,000 debt

A 30-year-old polytechnic student and aluminium fixer, Al-Amin Mohammed, has died after ingesting rat poison days after his release from custody following a dispute over an alleged N8,000 debt in Ibadan, Oyo State.

According to PUNCH, Mohammed was arrested after a disagreement involving a Point-of-Sale operator, Kazeem, over an outstanding N8,000 balance and allegations that a business phone was damaged during a struggle.

His family said Mohammed was first detained by a vigilante before being transferred to Sanyo Divisional Police Station on September 9. He was taken to court the following day, granted N100,000 bail with two sureties, and remanded at Agodi Custodial Centre while his bail conditions were perfected.

Mohammed was released on September 14. His mother, Simiat Mohammed, said he returned home withdrawn, barely ate and repeatedly complained that his reputation had been damaged by the detention and prosecution.

On September 17, he ingested rat poison at his Ibadan residence. His family said he recorded a voice note expressing frustration before the incident. He was taken to several hospitals before being pronounced dead at University College Hospital, Ibadan.

The family alleged that police officers escalated what they considered a minor dispute and subjected Mohammed to harsh treatment. PUNCH said it could not independently verify those allegations.

Kazeem denied wanting the matter prosecuted, saying he only sought repayment and responsibility for the damaged phone.

The family has appealed to President Bola Tinubu, the Inspector-General of Police and Oyo State Government to investigate the circumstances surrounding Mohammed’s arrest, detention and death. Oyo police spokesperson Ayanlade Olayinka told PUNCH he was unaware of the incident when contacted.

Retired police officer and family friend Isiaka Ayole also called for an independent investigation, questioning why the dispute progressed from vigilante detention to police custody, prosecution and eventual remand in prison.