The tragic death of 25-year-old Peter Igbang, a farmer from Ipara in Ogun State, has ignited outrage among his family and community members, who are demanding accountability from the police. Peter was arrested on October 17 over allegations of stealing a bunch of plantains, but his death in custody on October 20 has raised serious questions about the circumstances surrounding his detention.

Police authorities claim that Peter hanged himself using his own clothing while in the cell. However, his family and local leaders have expressed skepticism about this explanation, citing a lack of communication from the police and inconsistencies in the accounts provided by officers. Peter's mother, Mrs. Gift Joseph, revealed that she was only informed of her son's arrest after he had already died. "I have no other son; he is my only son. I want the authorities to hear my questions and listen to what I have to say so that I can receive answers and have some peace of mind," she stated, visibly distraught.

Peter's sister, Juliet, who resides in Lagos, received the shocking news of his death on the evening of October 20. She expressed confusion over how the family was left uninformed about his arrest for days. "I asked how the family did not hear about it," she recounted. A local resident who visited Peter in custody reported that he had been pleading for food and water since his arrest, further raising concerns about the treatment he received while detained.

The police's failure to notify Peter's family within the legally mandated 24 to 48 hours has also drawn criticism. Community leaders, including the current chairman, Mr. Joseph, questioned the legality of holding a detainee fully clothed and the procedures followed during his arrest. "The way they showed us inside there, it does not look like the guy hanged himself," he remarked.

Former community chairman Mr. Fidelis noted that he was only contacted by police after Peter's death, further complicating the narrative surrounding the incident. He emphasized that the complainant in the case had not even met him prior to Peter's death, raising doubts about the legitimacy of the charges against the young farmer.

Community member Monday Philip recounted his attempt to plead for leniency on Peter's behalf shortly after the arrest, indicating that the complainant had initially only intended for Peter to learn a lesson rather than face severe consequences.

In light of these developments, family members and community leaders are calling for a thorough investigation into Peter's death. They are particularly concerned about the decision to leave him fully clothed in a cell, the presence of a bucket that could have been used to facilitate the alleged suicide, and the overall treatment of detainees in police custody. As the community mourns the loss of a promising young man, the demand for justice and clarity in this troubling case continues to grow.