I Regret Returning to Nigeria”—Heartbroken 92-Year-Old Grieves as Son Dies in Police Custody

For 92-year-old Festus Arhagba, the twilight of his life has turned into a cascade of pain, regret, and emotional torment after the devastating loss of his 50-year-old son, Kingsley Arhagba, who tragically died in police detention at the Ajeromi Division in Lagos. The elderly father described the harrowing incident as a heartbreaking convergence of “deception, brutality, and extortion.”

Seated in his modest residence in Lagos, relying heavily on a walking aid due to paralysis, the visibly distressed nonagenarian shared with Saturday Vanguard how his family was plunged into misery following the arrest of his younger son, Kenneth Arhagba, on June 26, 2025, by officers later identified as members of the IGP Intelligence Response Team (IRT), Abuja.

With a trembling voice and tears in his eyes, the 92-year-old said, “I deeply regret ever coming back to this country. I was recruited directly from overseas to serve here. Since my return, nothing this traumatic has happened to me. Kingsley was the only one taking care of me due to my health condition. Now, I am completely lost.”

He explained that Kingsley was on a routine school run for his children when five armed officers intercepted and handcuffed him in the presence of his little children, before taking him away. The family was left in anxiety for four days, not knowing the whereabouts of Kenneth. It was only when a man identifying himself as ASP Danjuma called and requested food be brought to Ajeromi Police Station that they got a clue.

A Sudden Twist: Tragedy Strikes

Hope quickly descended into despair when the family’s visit to the station turned into another nightmare. Kingsley, who accompanied the Deacon delivering the house documents requested as collateral for Kenneth’s bail, was also detained. The police allegedly demanded someone on “Level 12” as a condition for the bail. Since they had no such contact, the family offered property documents, which were accepted.

However, by the time the Deacon arrived at the station, Kingsley had collapsed. He was rushed to a hospital where doctors pronounced him dead on arrival. The officers, according to witnesses, vanished and later claimed they had gone to “pump their tyre.”

Dispute Over Property: The Root of the Arrest

The entire ordeal reportedly stems from a long-standing conflict over a storey building located on Salami Street, Tolu Road, in the Ajeromi-Ifelodun axis of Lagos. Kenneth narrated how he had assisted his former partner, Mary James, in acquiring the disputed property years ago. The transaction was done in the name of his late elder brother, although no valid title documents were ever produced.

The dispute intensified when Mary allegedly bypassed official procedures and reached a private settlement with the seller, Prince, who initially told the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Alagbon that the papers were in the custody of the EFCC and promised to refund her.

Kenneth said, “Mary shocked everyone when she released a video of herself and Prince preparing a new deed of assignment without resolving the police matter.”

Forfeiture and Fraud: A Deeper Scandal

Investigations later revealed that the Federal High Court in Lagos had ordered a final forfeiture of the disputed property to the Federal Government, as it was linked to the diversion of ₦89 million from Sterling Bank due to a system glitch. The building was even marked with “EFCC, keep off” signage, visibly displayed during a Saturday Vanguard visit.

Despite this, some individuals allegedly impersonating the property’s owners reportedly forged ownership documents, including a Deed of Assignment and Oluwa family receipt, to defraud one Anthony Nlebedim and his son, Ikechukwu Sylvester Nlebedim, of ₦69 million, despite being aware of the legal dispute.

Allegations of Illegal Detention and Abuse

Kenneth further explained that after being unlawfully arrested, he was shocked to learn that the charges against him included kidnapping, criminal conspiracy, and threats to life. He narrated his experience: “I was locked up in Ajeromi Police Station on Thursday, transferred to Marine Police on Friday where I spent two nights, and finally moved to Abuja on Sunday night, June 29, 2025.”

He added, “I was denied food and phone calls for four days. A police officer even told me explicitly that he was under strict orders not to let me speak to anyone, and that if I died in custody, nothing would happen. I was only released because of my brother’s death.”

The Cry for Justice: A Family in Mourning

Unable to contain his grief, Festus Arhagba said, “The police have killed my son,” before collapsing back into his chair while his wife quietly wept. The family has since petitioned the Inspector General of Police, demanding a full investigation and prosecution of those responsible for Kingsley’s death.

While police sources claimed that Kingsley collapsed in front of his relatives and denied any form of torture, the family vehemently rejected the explanation, calling it a cover-up for a callous and preventable tragedy. To them, Kingsley’s death represents the failings of a justice system that too often silences the cries of the innocent.