RULAAC accuses police of shielding father as 13-year-old son vanishes days after reuniting with him following years of reported abandonment
By Ishaya Ibrahim
The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has raised an alarm over the police’s alleged shielding of a father, Mr Taiye Odimboro, whose 13-year-old son, Joel, went missing days after reuniting with him following years of reported abandonment.
RULAAC, in a statement by its executive director, Okechukwu Nwanguma, revealed that the boy has been missing since May 2025 while under the custody of his father, Mr. Taiye Odimboro.
The statement explained that after the boy went missing, the father promised to produce him. But the promise was never followed through because the police allegedly indulged him in a delayed trick.
“Mr. Taiye Odimboro has failed to produce Joel as he undertook to do. Instead of cooperating, he has resorted to filing counter-petitions and making spurious allegations against the mother – conduct consistent with an attempt to evade accountability,” the statement said.
RULAAC says it was shocking that despite a clear directive from the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), Zone 2, Lagos, the case continues to be marked by suspicious delays, diversionary tactics, and questionable conduct that undermines public trust in the police.
RULAAC alleges in the statement that Mr Odimboro has refused to be transparent with investigators. “He reportedly refused to disclose his address, resisted lawful instructions to publicize the disappearance, and generally frustrated efforts to trace the child.”
Also troubling, according to RULAAC, was the seeming helplessness of the AIG Zone 2.
“The AIG, Zone 2, Lagos, ordered the transfer of the case file from Ajuwon Division, Ogun State, to Zone 2 for proper handling. Shockingly, this directive has been stalled with flimsy excuses such as “lack of signal” and referrals to the Commissioner of Police. These delaying tactics raise serious concerns of protection and complicity.”
The statement alleges interference in the case. “The complainant’s family credibly reports that influential individuals are working to shield Mr. Odimboro from accountability and to frustrate police action.
“Every day without a credible, independent investigation endangers Joel’s life and deepens the anguish of his mother and stepfather. The father’s refusal to publicize the disappearance only heightens fears of foul play.”
RULAAC made the following demands:
“1. The AIG, Zone 2, Lagos – to ensure immediate compliance with his directive by the Ogun State Police Command and to take full control of this investigation. The case file must be transferred without further delay, and a prompt, impartial, and thorough inquiry must be undertaken – including arrest and prosecution where warranted.
“2. The Police Service Commission (PSC) and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) – to urgently open an independent inquiry into the handling of this case and sanction any officers found to have compromised or obstructed justice.
“3. Civil society, human rights defenders, and the media – to amplify this case and demand accountability so that it does not “die a natural death” through delay, cover-up, and manipulation.
“The disappearance of a child is not a routine case – it is an emergency. It demands decisive, transparent, and professional action from the police, not foot-dragging or power play.
“RULAAC will continue to stand with the family of Joel Odimboro until the truth is uncovered and justice is delivered.”
