Kaduna: Former NUJ chairman demands justice for slain son

Former Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Kaduna State Council, Mr. Sani Malumfashi, has called on security agencies to unravel the circumstances behind the death of his son, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Shu’aibu Malumfashi, a crime officer attached to the Kebbi State Police Command.

The deceased’s father, Sani Malumfashi made the appeal while briefing journalists in Kaduna. He said his son was gruesomely murdered on October 19, 2022 at 2:10p.m. by group of persons.

Sani Malumfashi, who is also a Correspondent with the Hausa service of the Voice of America, (VOA) debunked the assertion made by the police that his son was allegedly killed by a fellow police officer during a physical combat, adding that from examination, his son was strangled and so the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) must do everything possible to bring all the perpetrators to justice.

He said: “Based on our findings, my 33-year-old son was killed by a group of persons. You see when they brought his body, we saw that his neck was dangling. This suggested that he was strangled to death.

“We believe one person held his hands to the back and one other strangled him and then use a sharp object to pierce his heart. There could be a third person, who was looking at the house when the heinous act was being perpetrated.

“Those of us who saw his body with some medics concluded that one person could not have killed him.” Malumfashi maintained that more worrisome was his murder happened in the afternoon, saying,” Even though, he lived alone in a chalet because his wife had just given birth, how could he just be killed in that hour without any clue?

“I know my son is gone. He will not come back. But I want those who have a hand in his murder to be fished out.

“If a police officer of his rank, a Divisional Crime Officer (DCO) could be killed like that, what more of a poor journalist like me or the man on the street?

“I want justice for my son. Let us know why he was killed and those behind his gruesome murder,” he said

However, the Kebbi State Police Command said it has arrested ASP Abdullahi Garba, who was allegedly accused of stabbing ASP Shu’aibu Malumfashi, which resulted in his death.

The command, in a statement issued by its spokesman, SP Nafi’u Abubakar, said the erring police officer was arrested and detained in the state CID for investigation.

Abubukar said: “On October 19, 2022 at about 1410hrs, one ASP Abdullahi Garba, officer-in- charge, Sauwa Police outpost, had an altercation with ASP Shu’aibu Sani Malumfashi, a Divisional Crime Officer II, Argungu Divisional Police Headquarters, inside fishing Village area, Argungu town.

“As a result of that, they engaged themselves in physical combat at the frontage of ASP Abdullahi Garba’s shop. While fighting, ASP Abdullahi Garba used a scissor and stabbed ASP Shu’aibu Sani Malumfashi in his left rib.

“On receipt of the report, the Divisional Police Officer, Argungu, rushed to the scene, arrested the erring officer, recovered the exhibit and rushed ASP Shu’aibu Sani Malunfashi to Sir Yahaya Memorial Hospital, Birnin Kebbi, where regrettably, a doctor confirmed him dead.

“Consequently, the erring Police Officer, ASP Abdullahi Garba was immediately arrested and detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Birnin Kebbi, while the case has also been referred to the Homicide section for a discreet investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding the ugly incident.

“In the light of the above, the Commissioner of Police, Kebbi State Command, CP. Ahmed Magaji Kontagora has delegated a team of senior Police Officers to condole the family and friends of the deceased Police Officer and prays may the gentle soul of ASP Shu’aibu Sani Malunfashi rest in perfect peace.

“CP Ahmed Magaji Kontagora also condemned the action exhibited by the erring Officer which goes contrary to teachings of the Police, Police Act and Regulations as well as other relevant laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.” The statement, read.