A Lagos-based barber, Babajide Adelowo, has died a day after his release from 28 days in police custody, following allegations by his family that he was tortured while being detained over suspected possession of firearms.

Adelowo was reportedly arrested by operatives of the X-Squad of the Lagos State Police Command at his shop in Iba Estate, Iyana-Iba, on October 6 and released on November 3.

His uncle, Samson Adelowo, alleged that the police searched the shop but failed to find any firearms. He also accused the officers of seizing the deceased's generator, chairs and other belongings.

He said the police confiscated his nephew's phone and restricted access to him, adding that lawyers engaged by the family were allowed to see him only two or three times during the 28-day detention.

The uncle further alleged that Adelowo's wife was threatened with arrest when she attempted to visit him, while an estate chairman who accompanied the lawyers to intervene was detained and allegedly forced to pay ₦50,000 for his release.

The deceased's wife, Mariam, said her husband was extremely weak and unable to walk properly when police officers handed him over to the family at PWD bus stop after his release.

She said the officers provided a referral note from the Federal Medical Centre, Ebute Meta, alongside medical supplies and advised the family to take him directly to the hospital.

According to her, Adelowo narrated that officers repeatedly tied his hands and legs to a weightlifting rod and suspended him for about 30 to 40 minutes on three occasions.

She also alleged that he was subjected to other forms of physical abuse, fainted four times in detention and became too weak to feed or care for himself without assistance from fellow detainees.

Mariam said her husband was taken to hospital before his release after other inmates raised the alarm over his deteriorating condition.

A medical report dated November 5, 2026, stated that Adelowo was admitted on November 3 with complaints including bleeding, vomiting blood, abdominal pain, general body weakness and anaemia.

The hospital assessed his condition as symptomatic anaemia resulting from upper and lower gastrointestinal bleeding, complicated by haemorrhagic shock.

The report said he received one pint of blood while awaiting another when he began convulsing and vomiting. His oxygen level subsequently dropped, prompting medical personnel to administer oxygen and refer him to a tertiary health facility.

However, he later began gasping, and attempts by medical personnel to revive him through cardiopulmonary resuscitation were unsuccessful.

The family said he died on November 4, leaving behind his wife and child.

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Coordinator of the Take It Back Movement, Adekunle Taofeek, called on the Inspector-General of Police and the state Commissioner of Police to order an independent investigation into the arrest, detention, alleged torture and death.

The group also demanded an independent autopsy involving the family, investigation into alleged extortion and recovery of the items reportedly seized from the deceased's shop.

It further urged the authorities to protect the family and potential witnesses from intimidation and ensure that any officers found culpable were prosecuted.

When contacted, the Lagos State Police Command spokesperson, Abimbola Adebisi, denied that Adelowo was tortured, adding that an official statement would be issued on Monday.