Residents of Gwagwarwa in Nassarawa Local Government Area of Kano State were thrown into mourning at the weekend over the alleged torture of one 23-year-old Yusuf Shuaibu by a military officer and his eventual death.
The development prompted a protest in the area on Saturday as irate youths blocked the Airport Road, demanding justice over the death of Shuaibu.
The late Shuaibu, a civilian staff of the 465 Nigeria Air Force Hospital medical center in Kano, was allegedly tortured by a military officer at the hospital simply identified as Oga Aminu for insubordination.
A source told Grassroots Parrot that after the attack around 10: 37pm on Thursday night, Yusuf started vomiting thick blood and told his parent how he was tutored and maltreated.
Shuaibu Bala, father of the late cleaner confirmed to newsmen that his son was a cleaner at the hospital before his sudden death.
Bala disclosed further what his late son told him before he gave up the ghost.
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“On that fateful day (Thursday) after completing a night shift, Yusuf was about to go home when Oga Aminu (the military man) instructed him to perform a particular task.
“After complying, Yusuf requested money to buy food, as he was exhausted and hungry. In response, Oga Aminu reportedly attacked him, leaving visible bite marks on his body.
“Yusuf later returned home and shared the incident with friends and family.” He explained.
However, an incident which was considered to be minor eventually turned tragic when Yusuf eventually passed on at midnight.
Father of the deceased explained further “When his brother checked on him, he discovered Yusuf’s lifeless body in his room.”
He lamented that the treatment meted out to his son was inhumane, adding that it was a violation of his fundamental rights.
He therefore called on Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano, Emir of Kano Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, the National Human Rights Commission and Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar to ensure justice is served over the death of his eldest son.
NAF Reaction
An attempt to speak with NAF officials in Kano over the incident was not successful as they insisted that only the officials at the headquarters can comment on the matter.
However, Sahara Reporters later reported the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar as “directing an investigation of personnel allegedly involved in torturing the civilian staff of the 465 Nigeria Air Force Hospital medical center in Kano to death.”
The online medium quoted the NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet as saying that Abubakar had ordered a comprehensive investigation to ascertain the facts and bring to book anyone found culpable.
According to the NAF spokesperson “I’m aware that the deceased, Mr Yusuf Shuaibu, was a temporary staff of 465 NAF hospital Kano. I am also aware that 2 days ago, the deceased and an airman had an altercation that ensued bothering on insubordination and the refusal of the deceased to adhere to certain directives.
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“I’m also aware that after their altercation, the matter was amicably settled, and the deceased then proceeded home with no sign of any illness, only for information to filter in the next day that he had passed on.
“Indeed, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has been briefed on the news of the unfortunate and untimely death of Mr Shuaibu, and he is saddened by the loss. He has, however, directed the Commanders of the Hospital and NAF Base Kano to extend his condolence and that of the entire NAF family to the family of the deceased.
“The CAS has also directed for an investigation to immediately unravel what actually led to the unfortunate death of Mr Yusuf. So, l want to assure you that no stone will be left unturned until we unravel what actually led to Mr Shuaibu’s death.” He said.