Family seeks justice for son allegedly tortured to death by vigilantes

The family of 23-year-old Abbas, a graduate of the Niger State College of Education, Minna, who was allegedly tortured to death by vigilantes over a missing phone, are seeking justice for the deceased young man. A neighbour was said to have accused the deceased of phone theft from her shop and involved the vigilantes, who […]

The family of 23-year-old Abbas, a graduate of the Niger State College of Education, Minna, who was allegedly tortured to death by vigilantes over a missing phone, are seeking justice for the deceased young man.

A neighbour was said to have accused the deceased of phone theft from her shop and involved the vigilantes, who forcefully arrested Abbas and took him to their office at the Tungan-Goro area where he was severely tortured.

Sources said after Abbas was confirmed dead at a private clinic, the phone was found where it had been misplaced by the owner.

The medical report obtained from the family showed that the deceased died as a result of ‘exhaustion and torture’.

The mother of the deceased, Asmau Abubakar, told our correspondent that her son swore he did not steal the phone, but the owner insisted he must be arrested.

She said Abbas was dumped at the Tudun-Wada police station after he was tortured by vigilantes.

“I trusted my son. I even pledged to buy a new phone, even though my son said he didn’t take the phone. My son was crying that he didn’t take the phone. He only went to the woman’s shop to buy drugs.”

When contacted, the spokesperson for the Niger State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said the incident happened on August 25.

According to him, “On 25/08/2025 at about 10 pm, a case of stolen phone was reported at Tudun-Wada Division involving one Abbas Ibrahim of Tunga, Minna. The suspect was brought to the police station looking weak and injured, allegedly tortured by some vigilante members, and he was released to his family for medical attention. ‘’Unfortunately, on 28/08/2025, he was later confirmed dead at General Hospital, Minna.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that on 23/08/2025, the boy was accused of phone theft, and the parents agreed to provide another phone for the complainant during their in-house settlement arrangement. However, one Ismail Abdul of the same area reportedly took over the matter and invited some vigilante members from the Tungan-Goro area, Chanchaga, handed over the boy to them, headed by one Jamilu and three others.

“The suspect was allegedly tortured by the vigilante men, and on 25/08/2025, the same Ismail Abdul brought the matter to the police station. Having observed the condition of the boy, he was handed over to his relatives who rushed him to the hospital, where he was later confirmed dead.

“The said Ismail Abdul was immediately arrested, and effort to apprehend the vigilante members is ongoing, and all will be transferred to SCID for further investigation.”