Soldier, accomplice allegedly torture Artisan to death over N1.5M Debt in Lagos

By Yusuf Muhammed

A serving Nigerian Army sergeant, identified as Balogun Oluwafemi, and an unnamed colleague are under investigation for the alleged torture and death of an artisan, Yahaya (surname unknown), over a N1.5 million debt in the Abaranje area of Ikotun, Lagos State.

According to a police report, Olamide Sodiq Adeosun, a resident of 36 Tomori Street, Atan, Ogun State, filed a complaint at the Ikotun Police Station at 6:00 p.m. on the day of the incident.

Adeosun stated that he had paid Yahaya N1.5 million to install Plaster of Paris (POP) in his home opposite Aso Rock Hotel, Abaranje Road, Ikotun.

He alleged that Yahaya absconded with the money without completing the work.

Adeosun further explained that, after Yahaya failed to refund the money, he enlisted the help of his friend, Sergeant Oluwafemi, to confront the artisan.

The sergeant and an unnamed colleague reportedly ordered Yahaya to perform a “frog jump” exercise as a form of intimidation. During the exercise, Yahaya collapsed. He was rushed to Isolo General Hospital, where a doctor pronounced him dead.

The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) and officers from the Ikotun Police Station responded promptly, transferring Yahaya’s body to Mainland General Hospital for an autopsy.

The body was deposited at the mortuary, and Adeosun was arrested and taken into custody for questioning as part of the ongoing investigation.

Authorities have not released further details about the involvement of Oluwafemi or his colleague, and the investigation remains active.