Jeremiah Agbo, a 52-year-old truck driver from Owukpa in Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue State, has died after being detained at a police station in Dei Dei, Abuja, following a road accident dispute, according to accounts from his family.
Agbo reported himself to the Dei Dei police station after his truck collided with a woman’s car along the Kubwa–Dei Dei Expressway. The parties agreed he would refund ₦540,000, payable at ₦100,000 monthly. Towing the vehicles cost him ₦210,000, which delayed the start of repayments. Police held his truck for five months. Agbo eventually sold it for ₦300,000 and paid that sum to the woman, leaving a balance of ₦240,000.
On Thursday, 6 August 2026, Agbo reached an agreement with the investigating police officer to pay ₦100,000 toward the outstanding amount. His bank had already closed for the day, so he could not withdraw the money. When he returned to the station, an officer detained him.
The following day, Agbo’s wife went to the station and was told he had collapsed and been taken to a nearby chemist. There, Agbo allegedly told her that a police officer identified as Dogara had beaten him on the forehead with a stick. The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) reportedly gave her ₦20,000 to take him to General Hospital, Kubwa. The hospital referred him to the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, where he later died after medical bills reached approximately ₦700,000.
Family members and supporters are calling for justice in the case, urging a full investigation into the circumstances of Agbo’s detention, alleged assault, and death in relation to police custody. People of Owukpa in Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue State have demanded justice and nothing but justice for his death.
