Police probe Oyo motorcyclist’s death

The Oyo State Police Command has confirmed the death of a 25-year-old motorcyclist, Umar Yahúza, who died in an incident at a police checkpoint in Iseyin.

The command disclosed this in a statement on Saturday, noting that the incident occurred in the early hours of May 2, 2026, at about 5:30 am along the Iseyin/Oyo Road.

According to the statement, the victim, a resident of the Oluwole, Old Kara area of Iseyin, was involved in what the police described as a lone motorcycle accident at a Border Patrol checkpoint in Niko.

“At about 5:30am, a motorcycle rider, Umar Yahúza, was involved in a lone accident which occurred at a police Border Patrol checkpoint located at Niko along the Iseyin/Oyo Road. He was promptly rescued and taken to Fadok Hospital, Iseyin, for medical attention.

“Sadly, at about 7:30 am, the Command received information confirming that the victim succumbed to injuries sustained in the accident,” the statement said.

However, the incident triggered a protest by a group of commercial motorcyclists, who gathered at the hospital and alleged that officers at the checkpoint were responsible for the death.

Responding, the police said senior officers, in collaboration with the Seriki of the Hausa/Fulani community, engaged the protesters and assured them of justice.

“In response, senior officers of the Command, in collaboration with the Seriki of the Hausa/Fulani community, engaged the protesters and assured them of a thorough and discreet investigation. The Command also reaffirmed that any officer found culpable will be appropriately sanctioned in accordance with the law,” the statement added.

The command disclosed that two officers attached to the Border Patrol Unit—an Assistant Superintendent of Police and an Inspector—have been detained pending the outcome of investigations.

“The two officers involved… have been detained pending the outcome of the investigation. The scene of the accident was visited by investigators, where photographs were taken and a sketch map drawn to aid further inquiry,” it added.

The police further stated that the remains of the deceased had been released to the Seriki of the Hausa community for burial in line with Islamic rites.

The command said calm had since been restored in the area.

It added: “The situation has since been brought under control, and normalcy has been fully restored in the area. The case will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for detailed investigation.

“The Commissioner of Police, Abimbola Olugbenga, assures the public of the Command’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and justice, and urges continued calm as investigations progress.”