The Fagge community in Kano State was thrown into tension following allegations that personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) beat a suspect, Khalifa Usman Abdullahi, to death while he was in their custody.
People’s Pen24 reports that the incident occurred on Wednesday, which led to protests by residents who threatened to set the civil defence office in the area on fire, demanding justice for the deceased.
It was gathered that Khalifa Usman Abdullahi was accused by NSCDC personnel of stealing money belonging to the corps operatives.
Rather than subjecting him to a formal investigation in line with established procedures, residents alleged that Khalifa was subjected to severe physical assault by the officers. The beating, they claimed, resulted in injuries that later led to his death, plunging the community into mourning and anger.
Speaking emotionally on the issue, the elder brother of the deceased, Usman Abdullahi, said Khalifa had worked with the civil defence for almost five years and had never been involved in any dispute or disciplinary issue.
He described his brother as a loyal and dedicated worker who did not deserve such treatment. “If they suspected him of stealing, the right thing was to investigate and follow the law,” he said. “Instead, they beat him until he died. This is not justice.”
The incident quickly escalated, with youths in the Fagge area taking to the streets in protest.
Witnesses said angry residents threatened to set the NSCDC office ablaze, accusing the officers of abuse of power and extrajudicial actions.
Security operatives were later deployed to restore calm and prevent a breakdown of law and order.
In response, the Kano State Command of the NSCDC announced decisive steps pending the outcome of investigations.
The command’s spokesman, Assistant Commandant (AC) Ibrahim Abdullahi, confirmed that the Commandant of Fagge Command, CSC Amina Musa Kolawale, alongside other personnel involved, had been handed over to the police for further investigation over the death of a suspect in their custody.
AC Ibrahim Abdullahi further disclosed that the Commandant-General of the NSCDC had approved the immediate removal of CSC Amina Musa Kolawale from her position as Commandant of Fagge Command. She has since been replaced by CSC Bashir Isa Abubakar, who will oversee the command pending the completion of investigations.
As investigations continue, the family of Khalifa Usman Abdullahi and residents of Fagge say they are watching closely, hoping that justice will be served and that the incident will not be swept under the carpet.