IGP sets up panel to investigate death of cadet who allegedly starved to death

The acting Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has set up a seven-member panel of inquiry to investigate the death of a police cadet, Sulaiman Jika.

Jika, a 100-level Course 9 cadet at the Nigeria Police Academy (POLAC) in Wudil, Kano State, died on Saturday, September 2.

A source at the academy alleged that Jika was starved and malnourished for over two weeks before his death.

The deceased was left untreated because there were no drugs and no medical officer to attend to him in the unconducive environment before he died, according to reports.

However, in a statement, POLAC’s spokesperson, ASP Hussain Suleman, said that Jika died following a brief illness.

Suleman said that Jika sought medical attention at the academy clinic on Tuesday, August 29, and was certified fit and discharged the next day.

POLAC’s spokesperson added that the deceased cadet was tasked with returning at regular intervals for checks, which he adhered to.

However, on Saturday, September 2, Jika was admitted to the clinic for further examination and care following a complaint of restlessness. Despite all necessary medical steps being taken, he died,Suleman stated.

Meanwhile, the police force spokesperson, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, disclosed in a statement on Tuesday that IGP Egbetokun has set up a Panel of Inquiry, headed by the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), Abuja, DIG Abiodun Alabi, with a mandate to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation into the circumstances surrounding the cadet’s death.

Adejobi added that the IGP has set a deadline of four days for the panel to furnish a comprehensive report detailing its findings and recommendations.

“Furthermore, the IGP extends his heartfelt condolences and commiserations to the family and relations of Sulaiman Jika and the academy community during this trying time, assuring that he is deeply empathetic to their pains and loss and that the Force would do the needful to ensure justice is done in the case,” Adejobi stated.

Other members of the panel include the AIG Training and Development, AIG Oyeyemi Oyediran; the Force Medical Officer, CP Garba Emmanuel Nzukwen; the CP Homicide FCID, CP Fom Pam Joseph, psc(+); the CP Training POLAC, CP Patrick Edung; a representative of the CP Legal as the secretary;and the Principal Staff Officer II to the IGP, ACP Idris Abubakar.