The family of a Lagos-based man, Osas Azenabor, says he has been missing for 15 months after he was allegedly arrested by police, accusing authorities of failing to account for his whereabouts.
Speaking Monday, his father, Francis Azenabor, said his son was arrested Nov. 1, 2024, during a police raid in the Mile 12 area and was reportedly taken to the Ketu Police Station.
According to him, an eyewitness advised Osas to contact his family, which he did. However, when his wife arrived at the station, officers told her he was not there and advised her to check other stations, including Ogudu.
“She went to other stations, but there was no record of her husband there,” Francis said.
He said the family also visited Oshodi Police Station the following day but were told officers there had no record of the arrest. He added that searches at correctional facilities in Badagry and Kirikiri also yielded no results.
Francis said an eyewitness later identified an officer allegedly involved in the arrest at Ketu Police Station.
“The man whose phone my son used to call showed me the officer who held my son,” he said. “When I approached him, he refused to listen and began arguing after recognizing me as Osas’s father.”
He said he had reported the matter to the Divisional Police Officer but received no response.
Francis added that efforts to get answers from police authorities have been unsuccessful, describing repeated visits to various divisions as a cycle of referrals without resolution.
He said at one point the officers allegedly involved were detained on the orders of a senior officer but were later released.
The family has also involved lawyers and searched multiple police stations and correctional centers without success.
“My son has been missing for 15 months after his arrest,” Francis said. “I need help from higher police authorities, including the Inspector-General of Police, and Nigerians who can assist.”
He added that his son has three children and that the family has struggled to explain his disappearance.
The Lagos State Police Command has not responded to inquiries. Police spokesperson Abimbola Adebisi and Commissioner of Police Moshood Jimoh did not respond to calls or messages as of press time.
