The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has petitioned the Kano State Commissioner of Police Samaila Dikko over the alleged torture to death of 21-year-old Abdulgafar Nasiru by Anti-Daba Unit of the command.
The deceased a tailor/Keke Napep Rider with KAROTA No. 0862KMC (A Daidaita Sahu) was a resident of Bakin Zuwo Quarters, Kano Municipal L.GA. Kano, Solacebase reported.
In the petition signed by Nigerian Bar Association, Kano Branch, Human Rights Committee, Chairman, Abbas Haladu, demanded the establishment of an independent and unbiased committee for Inquiry/investigation into the act of alleged torture by men at the Anti-Daba Unit resulting in the death of the deceased.
The petition also asked for suspension during the period of the committee sitting/investigation of all men suspected to be involved directly or indirectly in the loss of life of the innocent and promising young man.
It similarly requested for the immediate release of the corpse of the deceased to the family of the slain innocent boy by signing a release letter for the conduct of an independent forensic analysis/autopsy as to cause of death (with finality).
FULL TEXT OF THE PETITION by the Nigerian Bar Association,
15th June 2021
The Commissioner of Police Kano State,
Nigeria police Headquarters,
Bompai, Kano,
Kano State- Nigeria.
Dear Sir,
PETITION AGAINST THE OFFICER IN CHARGE OF ANTI DABA KANO STATE SP BASHIR MUSA GWADABE, THE I.P.O. AND ALL PERSONS/OFFICERS ON DUTY ON THE 4-5 JUNE, 2021 OVER AN ALLEGED UNJUSTIFIABLE AND MERCILESS TORTURE AND BEATING TO DEATH OF ONE ABDULGAFAR NASIRU 21YRS (DECEASED) IN THEIR CUSTODY
We write as the committee in charge of Human Rights of the above named Association to formally bring to your notice of a distress call we received from the family of one Abdulgafar Nasiru (deceased) 21yrs old, Tailor/Keke Napep Rider with KAROTA No. 0862KMC (A Daidaita Sahu), a resident of Bakin Zuwo Quarters, Kano Municipal L.GA. Kano whom we are reliably informed by the family died in the custody of your men at the Anti Daba section of the Nigeria Police Force between 4th – 5th June 2021 when he was arrested while performing his legitimate duty of riding his tricycle along Sabon Titi, and whom the family have met hale and hearty at one of their visits to the Anti Daba in the morning of 5th June 2021 but shockingly saw his lifeless body at Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital with marks/injuries on his upper body as a result of the alleged unjustifiable and unlawful act of severe torture and beating by your men on the clear order, tacit instructions (overt/covert) and approval of the O/C which act the family strongly believed resulted to his death.
That as soon as we received the call, the Chairman and two members of the committee visited the Anti Daba Unit to hear from the Officer in Charge of the unit and his officers on the 12th June 2021, to hear his/their own side of the story so as to get the facts straight but the said officer pleaded with the committee that he had a busy day being the Democracy Day and there was activities going on at the Stadium requiring his presence and therefore sought the committee to drop a contact phone number claiming he will give the committee a call as soon as practicable, but till date, he has not called nor communicate to the committee in any way which acts among others prompted us and hence this petition to your good office with a view to see that justice is done on this matter and this is without prejudice to the right of the family to seek for the available redress in the court of law.
Sir, we, therefore, call on your good office for the following:
- To set up an independent and unbiased committee by your good office for Inquiry/investigation into the act of your men at the Anti-Daba Unit resulting to the death of the deceased.
- Suspension during the period of the committee sitting/investigation of all men suspected to be involved directly or indirectly in to the loss of life of the innocent and promising young man.
- Immediate Release of the corpse of the deceased to the family of the slain innocent boy by signing a release letter for the conduct of an independent forensic analysis/autopsy as to cause of death (with finality).
- And such other measures connected therewith.
As we wait for your prompt response/action, we wish you our warmest professional regards.
Yours faithfully,
Abbas Haladu Esq., NP.
Chairman of the committee
08033973271, 08028545166
CC:
- The Inspector-General of Police,
The Nigeria Police Force,
Louis Edet House, Shehu Shagari Way, Area 11,
Abuja-FCT, Nigeria.
- The National Body,
Nigerian Bar Association
FCT-Abuja, Nigeria.
- The Family of the deceased Slain Boy
