He died of an ailment, Academy says
A newly admitted police cadet, A.S Jika, has allegedly died of starvation at the Nigeria Police Academy, Kano.
Jika, a Course 9 cadet collapsed in a toilet while he eventually died in the early hours of yesterday, a police source said.
The Adamawa born young cadet, was one of the newly admitted students of the Department of Computer Science, at the Police University, Kano.
Revealing the sad development, the source, who pleaded anonymity, said the young Jika was rushed to the academy’s clinic where he was confirmed dead.
“He was left untreated because there were no drugs and no medical officer to attend to him in the clinic, before he eventually died,” the source added.
Narrating the harsh condition cadets are being subjected to in the name of regimental training, coupled with sudden slash in the daily allowance, the source alleged that cadets have been battling with continuous starvation and malnourishment, in the last two weeks, courtesy of the unfriendly policy of the Commandant Assistant Inspector-General, Sadiq Abubakar.
“Since the new commandant assumed office, they’ve been providing very bad and inadequate food for us. The boy that died was not up to 20 years old. The boy wouldn’t have died if they’d attended to him.
“The commandant also ordered the closure of the market and laundry and approved undeserved training exercises during lecture hours.
“Cadets collapse daily here during training due to fatigue, because it’s either they’re starved, malnourished, or both.”
We’re usually threatened by the commandant and forced to engage in unwarranted training exercises.
“Also, many cadets have been dismissed on the basis that they fell sick; that’s why many are trying to manage themselves to avoid expulsion from the academy,” the source added.
Also, a staff of the academy, who prefers anonymity, expressed worries over the recent policy of the Commandant, especially the review of daily mini markets to once weekly.
The staff also lamented that cadets’ feeding pattern has drastically reduced, which may be responsible for the daily complaints of starvation being received on a regular basis.
Meanwhile, the Police Academy, Wudil, Kano, has refuted the claims.
In a statement by the academy’s Public Relations Officer, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Hussain Suleman, the management regretted the death of Jika, who was said to have succumbed to the cold hands of death after a “brief and unexpected illness”.
Narrating the cause of Jika’s death, the spokesperson of the academy explained that the late cadet has been treated of undisclosed ailment four days prior to his death and certified fit to return for his regimental training before the sudden passage.
“On August 29, he sought medical attention at the Academy’s Clinic due to an ailment. Following a diligent course of treatment and his gradual recovery, he was certified fit and discharged by the medical doctor on call the next day, and tasked to return at regular intervals for checks, which he adhered to.
“However, fate took an unforeseen turn. On September 2, he was once again admitted to the clinic for further examination and care following a complaint of restlessness. Though his vitals were normal upon examination and all necessary medical steps were taken, we regrettably report his untimely passing.
“The Commandant of the Nigeria Police Academy, AIG Sadiq Idris Abubakar, extends his deepest condolences to the grieving family, friends, and loved ones of Cadet Sulaiman Jika. Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this period of profound sorrow. May God Almighty grant them the strength and resilience to bear this heavy loss,” Sulaiman said.
