3 cops arrested over death of suspect in detention

The Kebbi State Police Command has arrested three of its officers over the death of a suspect, Abubakar Auwal, while in detention. A release by the command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Abubakar, said Auwal was arrested over a reported case of stolen trailer rims at the Jega Divisional Police Headquarters but collapsed and died […]

The Kebbi State Police Command has arrested three of its officers over the death of a suspect, Abubakar Auwal, while in detention.

A release by the command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Abubakar, said Auwal was arrested over a reported case of stolen trailer rims at the Jega Divisional Police Headquarters but collapsed and died while in detention.

It said “Auwal reportedly collapsed around 6am on April 16. He was rushed to the General Hospital in Jega, where he was confirmed dead.”

It added that the three officers were currently being held in custody for further investigation and disciplinary action while the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Jega Division had been queried and redeployed with immediate effect.

The release said the command suspected foul play in the circumstances surrounding  his death as such, the Commissioner of Police, CP Bello M. Sani, directed that his case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for investigation and three officers were found culpable in connection with his death.

He said the police swiftly mobilised to the scene, and found the victim in a pool of his blood and rushed him to the hospital where he was confirmed dead by the doctor.

He said corpse had been deposited at the mortuary for autopsy while

the suspect had been arrested and transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for discreet investigation.