Alleged Asawase Police Brutality Victim Hit His Head Against A Wall – Interior Minister

The Minister for the Interior, Ambrose Dery, has disclosed that a 34-year-old man allegedly killed by the Asawase police died after hitting his head against a wall.

Salahudeen Tafilu, whose death prompted an attack on the Asawase Police Station, reportedly died during a police swoop on the area.

Officers reportedly stormed the area and conducted a swoop, arresting several people, including Salahudeen, on Sunday, July 23, 2023.

However, Salahudeen was later found dead.

The family had accused Asawase police officers of manhandling their relative, leading to his death.

Updating Parliament on the issue, the minister said police investigations into the death proved otherwise.

“Police commenced investigations into the circumstances surrounding the cause of his death following instructions by the Inspector General of Police, and the Police Standards Bureau also initiated investigations into the professional conduct of the police officers involved.

“Investigations have so far revealed that the police chased and arrested the victim and 13 others and later released him to go when he showed signs of sickness but, while running, he hit his head against the wall and fell,” he narrated.

He added that after a post-mortem, the cause of death was revealed as “a result of the crash against the wall”.

Meanwhile, the deceased has been buried according to Islamic rites amidst tears from family and friends.