Family demand justice as policemen torture 22-year-old man to death in Abuja

A 22-year-old man, Jacob Emmanuel, has reportedly died in police custody in Abuja, following months of detention and alleged torture by officers of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command and the Anti-Kidnapping Unit in Kado.

Emmanuel, a resident of Mpape, Abuja, was held for eight months without trial, during which his health deteriorated severely, leading to his death.

According to Sahara Reporters, Emmanuel was arrested in February 2024 at his home in Mpape, allegedly concerning the theft of a television.

He was initially detained at the Mpape Police Division before being transferred to the Anti-Kidnapping Unit in Kado.

His mother, a widow, witnessed the arrest and has since faced relentless efforts to secure his release.

The family’s lawyer revealed that despite recovering the stolen television and concluding the investigation, the police refused to grant Emmanuel bail or charge him in court. Instead, officers reportedly demanded a bribe of ₦200,000 for his release.

Emmanuel’s family filed multiple petitions with the FCT Commissioner of Police, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), the Inspector-General of Police, and other authorities, but no action was taken.

Emmanuel was reportedly subjected to torture and inhumane treatment at the notorious Guzape detention facility, commonly referred to as “Abattoir.”

In October 2024, his health took a critical turn, and he was confirmed dead. A police source stated that Emmanuel’s body had been moved to Gwagwalada Teaching Hospital.

The family, represented by their lawyer, has demanded accountability from the police.

In a petition, they detailed the conditions of Emmanuel’s detention, alleging negligence and torture by the officers. They called for an investigation into the actions of Inspector Paul Shafi and other personnel implicated in the case.

“Inspector Shafi and his colleagues tortured Emmanuel to death. He boasted about how many young people had died in detention under their watch,” a family source alleged.