Lagos man missing 15 months after alleged police arrest

Lagos man Osas Azenabor has been missing 15 months after alleged arrest, as family calls on police and authorities for urgent answers

The family of Osas Azenabor, a Lagos-based man, has expressed frustration over the continued silence of the Lagos State Police Command regarding his whereabouts, 15 months after his alleged arrest during a police raid.

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Francis Azenabor, Osas’s father, said his son was arrested on 1 November 2024 at Mile 12 and reportedly taken to Ketu Police Station.

According to eyewitnesses, Osas was able to call his wife from the station. However, when she arrived, officers claimed he was not there and advised her to check other police stations, including Ogudu.

Efforts to trace Osas across multiple stations, including Oshodi Police Station, Badagry Prison, and Kirikiri Correctional Centre, yielded no results.

Francis said an eyewitness later confirmed that his son had been held at Ketu Police Station and even identified the officer responsible, but attempts to resolve the matter directly were met with hostility.

Francis added that some officers involved in the arrest were briefly detained by a senior police officer but subsequently released.

Despite engaging lawyers and repeatedly visiting correctional centres and police divisions, the family has been unable to locate Osas.

“My son has been missing for 15 months after his arrest. I need help from higher police authorities, the Inspector-General of Police, and every Nigerian who can help me on this matter,” Francis said.

“It has been almost two years since I last saw my son. He has three children. I don’t know how I will explain to them.”

Attempts to obtain comments from Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer Abimbola Adebisi and Lagos State Commissioner of Police Moshood Jimoh were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.

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The case has drawn attention to concerns about accountability and transparency in police operations in Lagos, as families seek answers over prolonged disappearances following alleged arrests.

Quadri Olaitan