Outrage in Kano as Family Accuses Police of Killing Son in Custody: “He Was Healthy When They Took Him Away”

Outrage in Kano as Family Accuses Police of Killing Son in Custody: “He Was Healthy When They Took Him Away”

1st June 2026

A family in Kano State has accused officers of the Nigeria Police Force attached to Zone 1 of causing the death of their son while he was in custody, triggering public outrage and fresh calls for accountability within the country's law enforcement system.

The bereaved parents have appealed to the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police overseeing Zone 1, the Kano State Commissioner of Police, and the Kano State Government to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident and ensure justice is served.

The allegations emerged in an emotional video obtained by GLINTNEWS, where the deceased's parents recounted the painful ordeal that ended with the loss of their son. Speaking in Hausa, the grieving father and mother insisted that their son was in good health when police officers allegedly arrested him from their home.

According to the father, there was no indication that his son was ill or suffering from any medical condition before he was taken into custody.

“My son was healthy and strong when the police came to our house and arrested him,” he said.

“Later, while I was at work, I received information that he had been taken to a hospital. Not long after that, I was told he had died. The same police officers later brought his corpse back home.”

Fighting back tears, the father called on police authorities to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation into the matter.

“I am appealing to the Inspector-General of Police, the Assistant Inspector-General in charge of Zone 1, and the Commissioner of Police in Kano State to ensure justice is done. I also call on the state government to intervene and uncover the truth behind my son's death,” he said.

The video, which has since circulated widely, showed the lifeless body of the deceased surrounded by family members, neighbours, and sympathisers mourning the tragic loss.

The deceased’s mother, identified as Zainab, also made an emotional plea for justice, claiming that her son was alive and healthy before his arrest.

“My son was full of life when they took him away,” she said while weeping.

“Later, the police contacted me and said he was not feeling well. When I arrived, I found my son dead. I want justice. I want those responsible to be held accountable.”

She appealed to government authorities, human rights groups, and Nigerians to support the family's quest for justice.

“I am begging the governor and everyone in authority to help us. No mother should have to experience this pain. My son left home alive and came back dead,” she lamented.

The family did not reveal the reason behind the young man's arrest, but insist that the circumstances surrounding his death must be thoroughly investigated.

The incident has sparked widespread condemnation on social media, with many Nigerians demanding an independent probe into the alleged custodial death. Several commentators have argued that deaths occurring in police custody must never be overlooked and should be subjected to transparent investigations.

As public pressure mounts, attention is now turning to the Nigeria Police Force for an official response to the family's allegations.

For the grieving parents, however, the issue goes beyond official statements. They say their only desire is to know what happened to their son and to ensure that justice is delivered.

Their message remains clear: “He was alive when they took him away. He should have returned home alive.”