By John Dike, Osogbo
In the quiet hours before dawn, when much of Osogbo lies asleep, the corridors of a police facility in the Osun State capital were, by one woman’s account, the scene of an incident she says altered her life forever.
A 48 year old woman, a wife and professional, alleges that while in custody at a zonal police command, she was assaulted by an officer, an accusation that has since prompted petitions and calls for an independent investigation.
From detention to allegation
According to her account, she was arrested over a civil dispute and transferred between facilities before arriving at the zonal command in Osogbo.
She says her days in detention were marked by uncertainty and discomfort as she awaited the resolution of her case.
Then came the early hours of a late December morning, a moment she now recalls with unease. She alleges that an officer on duty offered her a place to rest briefly in his office after observing the harsh conditions in the cell.
Exhausted, she accepted, believing the gesture to be one of kindness.
A night she says turned violent
She alleges that while she was resting, the officer returned and assaulted her despite her resistance.
She says the incident left her injured and in severe pain.
In the days that followed, she claims she suffered prolonged medical complications and emotional trauma before eventually regaining her freedom.
Her claim remains an allegation, and no court has made any finding of guilt.
Following her release, a rights group petitioned authorities, urging the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force and the Osun State Government to initiate a transparent investigation and ensure accountability if wrongdoing is established.
Advocates say the case underscores broader concerns about detainee safety, institutional oversight, and the vulnerability of suspects in custody.
The officer accused has not been publicly convicted of any offence, and any investigation, if formally commenced, will determine the facts.
Beyond the legal processes, however, the case has already stirred public debate in Osogbo and beyond, raising questions about trust, power and protection within custodial spaces.
