TheCable

Aminu Tambuwal, governor of Sokoto state, has directed the state human rights agency to investigate the circumstances that led to the death of one Jamilu Abdullahi.

The man reportedly died while in the custody of the Sokoto command of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

Tambuwal expressed sadness over the situation and vowed that the state government will get to the root of the matter.

“Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has directed the state human rights agency to investigate the circumstances that led to the death of 38 year old Jamilu Abdullahi who was reported to have died while in the custody of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Sokoto state command,” Imam Imam, spokesman of the governor, said in a statement issued on Friday.

“The governor expressed sadness over the unfortunate situation, and vowed that the state government will get to the root of the matter.

“The investigation will unravel the circumstances that led to the death of Jamilu Abdullahi and recommend appropriate steps to be taken to avoid future occurrence.”

The statement added that the administration of Governor Tambuwal values human lives and will continue to respect the sanctity of the lives of all its citizens.

Earlier, Bello Musa, commandant of NSCDC in the state, denied that his men were responsible for the death of Abdullahi, saying he had set up an investigative panel.

“I can authoritatively confirm the death of the deceased after he was arrested by operatives of the corps at the Sokoto south local government division in Sokoto, following a complaint lodged by his neighbour,” he said.

“But it is untrue that personnel of the corps killed him. The ongoing investigations will reveal the cause of his death.

“Any officer who might be indicted by the ongoing investigations will face the wrath of the law.”

Musa  said the corpse of the suspect which was rejected by his family, was currently being kept at the morgue of the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto.