3 Dismissed Officers Charged to Court Over Killing of Kwara Polytechnic Student
The Kwara State Police Command has charged three dismissed officers—Mr. Abiodun Kayode, Mr. James Emmanuel, and Mr. Oni Philip—to court over the killing of Qoyum Ishola, a 21-year-old Kwara State Polytechnic student
Chris Oyeoku Okafor 
The Kwara State Police Command has confirmed the arraignment of three dismissed officers in connection with the killing of Qoyum Ishola, a student of Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin. The officers, identified as Mr. Abiodun Kayode, Mr. James Emmanuel, and Mr. Oni Philip, were charged with criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide. The court proceedings took place on 16th October 2024, following their dismissal from the force.
The Command's spokesperson, DSP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, disclosed in a statement that the three officers have been remanded in prison custody, pending further court hearings. "The Kwara State Police Command wishes to inform the public that the three dismissed officers, Mr. Abiodun Kayode, Mr. James Emmanuel, and Mr. Oni Philip, have been charged to court on 16th October 2024. They face charges of criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide in connection with the death of Qoyum Abdulyekeen Ishola. They have been remanded in prison custody pending further court proceedings," the statement read.
Recall that the Command had earlier pledged to prosecute the officers involved in the killing of Ishola, an ND II student from the Department of Electrical Electronics at Kwara State Polytechnic. The 21-year-old student was reportedly killed by the police during a stop-and-search operation at the Fate area of Ilorin on 4th September 2024.
The incident sparked outrage among students, leading to a protest at the state police headquarters and the Government House. The students, led by the Student Union Government of the polytechnic, demanded justice for the deceased and called for an open investigation by the Nigeria Police Force to identify those responsible for the killing.
The Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Victor Olaiya, had previously announced the dismissal of the three officers after they were found culpable in the student's death. The police authorities assured the public of their commitment to ensuring justice is served in the case.
