LAGOS FAMILY SEEKS ANSWERS AS MAN REMAINS MISSING 15 MONTHS AFTER POLICE ARREST

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

The family of a Lagos-based man, Osas Azenabor, has expressed frustration over the prolonged silence of the Lagos State Police Command regarding his whereabouts, 15 months after he was allegedly arrested.

Speaking on Monday, Osas’s father, Francis Azenabor, said his son was taken into custody on 1 November 2024 during a police raid at Mile 12 and reportedly brought to Ketu Police Station. An eyewitness at the scene said Osas managed to call his family immediately after the arrest.

Francis stated that when his daughter-in-law went to the station, she was told Osas was not there and was advised to check other nearby stations.

“She went to other stations, but there was no record of her husband there. The following day, my wife and I went to Oshodi Police Station. They said it was not possible for them to have received anyone from Ketu. We also checked Badagry Prison and Kirikiri, but he was nowhere to be found,” he said.

An eyewitness who facilitated Osas’s call to his wife later identified a police officer who allegedly held him at Ketu. Francis recounted confronting the officer, but the interaction ended in conflict, with the officer refusing to speak to him.

Efforts by the family to obtain information from police leadership have been repeatedly frustrated. According to Francis, officers initially detained for the arrest were later released without providing answers, and his repeated visits to various police divisions and correctional centres yielded no results.

“My son has been missing for 15 months. I need help from higher police authorities, the Inspector-General of Police, and every Nigerian who can assist. It has been almost two years since I last saw him. He has three children, and I do not know how to explain this to them,” Francis lamented.

As of the time of filing this report, Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer Abimbola Adebisi and Commissioner of Police Moshood Jimoh had not responded to requests for comment.

The family continues to appeal for intervention and answers regarding Osas Azenabor’s whereabouts.