Tension gripped the Fagge area of Kano State on Wednesday after residents accused personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps of torturing a suspect, Khalifa Usman Abdullahi, to death while in custody.
The incident sparked spontaneous protests, with angry youths threatening to set the NSCDC office in the area ablaze as they demanded justice for the deceased.
PLATFORM TIMES gathered that Abdullahi was allegedly arrested by NSCDC operatives over claims that he stole money belonging to some personnel of the corps.
Instead of subjecting him to a formal investigation in line with established procedures, residents alleged that the suspect was severely beaten while in custody.
Community sources said Abdullahi sustained critical injuries from the alleged assault and later died, plunging the neighbourhood into mourning and outrage.
Speaking on the incident, the elder brother of the deceased, Usman Abdullahi, said Khalifa had worked with the NSCDC for almost five years without any record of misconduct or disciplinary issues.
“My brother was loyal and committed to his duty. If they suspected him of any wrongdoing, the right thing was to investigate him according to the law,” he said. “They beat him instead, and he died. This is not justice.”
As news of the death spread, protesters took to the streets, accusing the officers of abuse of power and extrajudicial actions. Witnesses said security operatives were later deployed to the area to prevent a breakdown of law and order and to calm the situation.
Reacting to the development, the Kano State Command of the NSCDC said it had taken decisive action pending the outcome of investigations.
The command’s spokesman, Assistant Commandant Ibrahim Abdullahi, confirmed that the Commandant of Fagge Command, CSC Amina Musa Kolawale, along with other officers allegedly involved, had been handed over to the police for investigation over the death of the suspect in custody.
He added that the Commandant-General of the NSCDC had approved the immediate removal of Kolawale as the Commandant of Fagge Command.
She has since been replaced by CSC Bashir Isa Abubakar, who will oversee the command while investigations continue.
Abdullahi assured that the corps would cooperate fully with the police to ensure a transparent investigation, stressing that the NSCDC does not condone torture or abuse of suspects.
Meanwhile, the family of the deceased and residents of Fagge said they would continue to monitor developments closely, insisting that justice must be served and that those found culpable should be held accountable.
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