By Ado Oyeyemi
The death of a 15 year old boy, Busang Ayuka, following an alleged assault while in the custody of the Taraba State Marshal has triggered widespread condemnation, with residents and civil society organisations calling for an independent investigation into the incident.
Busang, a resident of Angwan Alfa in Serti B, Gashaka Local Government Area, reportedly died on Friday at the Federal Medical Centre, Jalingo, after allegedly sustaining severe injuries while in the custody of operatives of the state marshal in Baruwa.
The incident has renewed concerns over the conduct of security personnel during enforcement operations, as many residents demand greater accountability from agencies responsible for maintaining public order.
Reports indicate that the teenager was arrested after a disagreement with a friend over a missing MP3 player and a power bank.
The complainant reportedly accused Busang of taking the items and lodged a report with the Taraba State Marshal, leading to his arrest.
His family, however, alleged that he was brutally assaulted while in custody, claims the agency has yet to officially address.
The deceased’s mother, Mrs Hasena Ayuka, said the complainant initially visited her home to accuse her son before reporting the matter to the authorities.
She explained that the following day, officers of the Taraba State Marshal arrested Busang and later asked her to meet them at the CRCN Hospital in Gashaka.
According to her, she found her son in critical condition.
Mrs Ayuka dismissed claims that her son developed an ulcer while in detention, insisting he had no such medical condition.
She alleged that his neck appeared broken, parts of his body were swollen and he was unable to speak when she saw him. She added that he never regained consciousness before his death.
The teenager was initially admitted to the CRCN Hospital in Baruwa before he was referred to the Federal Medical Centre in Jalingo after his condition worsened.
Demanding justice, the grieving mother said no allegation against her son justified the loss of his life.
The exact circumstances surrounding the injuries remain unclear, with no official account detailing what transpired during his detention or whether established arrest and detention procedures were followed.
The incident has prompted widespread calls for a transparent investigation, with residents urging the state government and relevant security agencies to ensure that anyone found culpable is prosecuted.
Many observers argue that the case highlights broader concerns over the treatment of civilians during law enforcement operations and underscores the need for professionalism, respect for human rights and stronger oversight of security agencies.
Responding to the allegations, the Commandant of the Taraba State Marshal, retired Commissioner of Police Agyole Asenya Abeh, maintained that the agency operates within the provisions of the law.
He said personnel are regularly reminded to respect the rights of citizens and carry out their duties professionally, adding that any operative found to have acted unlawfully would be held personally responsible.
Abeh also stressed that the alleged actions of an individual should not be taken as a reflection of the entire agency.
He noted that culpable homicide is a serious criminal offence and falls within the investigative jurisdiction of the Nigeria Police Force.
He appealed to residents and members of the Marshal Security Guard to remain calm and refrain from drawing conclusions until investigations are completed.
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As of the time of filing this report, the Nigeria Police Force had yet to issue an official statement or confirm whether any arrests or investigation had been initiated over the incident.
