Taraba teenager dies after alleged assault in Marshal custody
Outrage Erupts After Teen’s Death in Taraba State Marshal Custody
The death of 15-year-old Busang Ayuka has provoked significant public outcry in Taraba State, prompting community members, civil society organizations, and local stakeholders to call for an independent investigation into the events leading to this tragedy.
Ayuka, a resident of Angwan Alfa in the Gashaka Local Government Area, died on Friday at the Federal Medical Centre in Jalingo. Reports indicate that he suffered severe injuries while in the custody of operatives from the Taraba State Marshal in Baruwa.
The incident has reignited concerns over the actions of security personnel during enforcement operations, raising questions about accountability within law enforcement agencies.
According to initial information, the situation began following a dispute between Ayuka and a friend over a missing MP3 player and power bank. The friend reportedly accused Ayuka of theft and subsequently reported the matter to the Taraba State Marshal, leading to his arrest.
Family members allege that Ayuka was violently assaulted while detained. However, the Taraba State Marshal has yet to provide a detailed account of the circumstances surrounding his injuries and subsequent death.
In an emotional statement, Ayuka’s mother, Hasena Ayuka, described the events as they unfolded. She recounted that the complainant approached her on the night of the incident, accusing her son of stealing. The following day, Taraba State Marshal operatives arrested him.
“The officers asked me to come to CRCN Hospital in Gashaka, where I found him lying half-dead,” she said.
Mrs. Ayuka contests claims reportedly made by the officers that her son had developed an ulcer while in custody.
“My son never had an ulcer. His neck appeared broken, parts of his body were swollen, and he could not speak. From that moment until he died, he never regained consciousness,” she asserted.
Ayuka was initially admitted to CRCN Hospital in Baruwa before being transferred to the Federal Medical Centre in Jalingo due to the severity of his condition.
The grieving mother stated, “My family wants to know why my son was killed. Whatever the allegation against him, nobody has the right to take his life. We want justice for Busang.”
The specific details regarding the alleged assault remain unclear, with no official accounts confirming what transpired during Ayuka’s detention or whether proper procedures were followed.
In response, community members are demanding a transparent and independent inquiry to establish the facts. They emphasize that a credible investigation is essential to determine if any laws or operational guidelines were breached.
Local residents have urged both the state government and security agencies to ensure a thorough investigation and to hold accountable anyone found responsible for Ayuka’s death.
This incident extends beyond the loss of a single life, highlighting broader issues regarding the treatment of civilians by law enforcement and the pressing need for greater professionalism and respect for human rights within security agencies.
Legal experts have noted that the outcome of any investigation could significantly affect public trust in institutions that are supposed to protect lives and uphold the law.
In defense of the agency, retired Commissioner of Police Agyole Asenya Abeh, the Commandant of the Taraba State Marshal, stated that the agency operates strictly within legal frameworks. He emphasized that personnel are regularly reminded to respect citizens’ rights and perform their duties professionally.
Any officer found to have acted outside the law would be held accountable, he asserted, emphasizing that this incident should not tarnish the reputation of the entire agency.
Describing culpable homicide as a serious crime, Abeh noted that the Nigeria Police Force has the legal mandate to investigate such cases and urged the community not to jump to conclusions until investigations are complete.
As of this report, the Nigeria Police Force had not issued an official statement regarding the incident or confirmed whether any investigations or arrests had been initiated.
