Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
The family of Osas Azenabor, a 40-year-old man from Edo State, has intensified calls for the Nigerian Police to disclose the whereabouts of their son who vanished after an arrest by police officers in Lagos State nearly two years ago. The case, which has drawn serious public concern, highlights unresolved issues around alleged custodial disappearance and lack of transparency from security authorities.
According to the family’s account, Osas was picked up by police during a supposed raid on November 1, 2024, in the Mile 12 / Ketu axis of Lagos. He was reportedly taken away in a police vehicle alongside others, and an eyewitness present at the scene later facilitated a brief phone call between Osas and his wife. During that call, Osas informed her that he was at Ketu Police Station.
When the wife arrived at the station shortly thereafter, the family says she was told that Osas was not there. Officers at Ketu allegedly directed her to other nearby stations for enquiries. Subsequent visits to Ogudu, Mafoloku, Oshodi Police Stations, and even Badagry Prison Yard yielded no trace of him, the family claims.
The father, 74-year-old Francis Azenabor, detailed repeated efforts to locate his son, including multiple visits to police stations and prisons, hiring a lawyer, and filing complaints that have apparently gone unanswered. He explained how he personally confronted the officer who allegedly led the operation that took Osas but was met with denial and hostility. Efforts to get police commanders to investigate the matter have reportedly been fruitless, with the family being passed from one desk to another with no resolution.
In one detailed recounting, the officer involved reportedly denied any knowledge of Osas’s detention when questioned at the command headquarters, even as other members of his team acknowledged conducting the raid on the day in question and detaining four individuals. The team leader claimed those arrested were released along the road — a version that contradicts the family’s account and the eyewitness reports.
The absence of a formal record of Osas’s detention has compounded the family’s distress. Francis and his lawyer say that even after lodging a petition, police responses have been inconsistent and dismissive. At one point, attempts to press the matter resulted in a confrontation with officers, during which the family and their lawyer say they were beaten and nearly detained themselves.
Osas’s disappearance has had profound personal and socioeconomic consequences for his relatives. He is said to be the father of three children, and his prolonged absence has left the family struggling both emotionally and financially. His wife and children in Ikorodu, Lagos, have faced hardship, with the children reportedly unable to attend school as the family’s resources are consumed by the ongoing search.
The case has attracted public attention as part of broader concerns over custodial transparency and police accountability in Nigeria. Families of individuals taken into custody without clear judicial oversight or tracking mechanisms have repeatedly raised concerns about enforced disappearances, lack of access to official detention records, and inadequate communication from security agencies. Experts say such cases erode trust between citizens and law enforcement and underscore the need for clear procedural safeguards.
Despite repeated follow-ups, Lagos State Police officials have not publicly confirmed Osas’s status, and neither the Lagos State Commissioner of Police nor the Police Public Relations Officer had responded with definitive information on the case as of the latest family appeals.
The family continues to call on the Inspector-General of Police, state authorities, human rights organisations, and the public to intervene. Their demand is straightforward: provide clear information on whether Osas Azenabor is alive or dead and where he may be if in custody. They argue that only transparency from the Nigeria Police Force can bring closure to nearly two years of uncertainty and suffering.
Stone Reporters note that this case typifies wider concerns around accountability and custodial oversight in Nigeria’s policing system. Without systematic recording of detentions, transparent inquiry processes, and willingness by authorities to engage constructively with affected families, such disappearances continue to fuel fear and public distrust.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments