The Kuntau community in Gwale Local Government Area of Kano State has been thrown into mourning following the sudden death of a 24-year-old cleric, Salim Usman, in police custody.
Usman, who served as an Imam in the area, was reportedly arrested on September 22 shortly after leading the Maghrib prayer.
Police accused him of purchasing a stolen bag of flour last year — an allegation traced to a suspect currently under investigation.
His father, Sheikh Adam Usman, told journalists that CCTV footage captured officers assaulting his son at the time of his arrest.
“He was brutally beaten before being taken away,” the grieving father alleged.
Family demands justice
According to Sheikh Usman, the maltreatment did not stop at the point of arrest.
He alleged that Salim was further assaulted while in detention, which ultimately led to his death the same day.
The family has since lodged a formal complaint with police authorities.
“The police informed us that some officers have been arrested for unprofessional conduct and that an investigation is underway,” Sheikh Usman said.
Salim’s body was not immediately released. He was laid to rest on September 26 after a court-ordered autopsy was conducted at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital.
The family said they were informed the autopsy report would take up to four weeks to be completed.
The police is yet to make comments on the matter.
