Lafia Polytechnic student dies after alleged torture by military officers

 

Sunday, September 15, 2024 -mechanical engineering student of the Isa Mustapha Agwai Lafia Polytechnic, Nasarawa State, Timothy Achinya, has been allegedly tortured to death by some unidentified soldiers.

Achinya’s demise has ignited widespread anger among the polytechnic’s student body, prompting the Acting Rector, Dr Nurudeen Mu’azu Maifata, to seek a resolution through legal means.

The President of the Students Union Government (SUG) at the polytechnic, Jacob John Mutuwa, who confirmed the tragic event to reporters in Lafia, the state’s capital, shared the sequence of events that ultimately led to Achinya’s fatal demise.

He said, “It all started when a student named Samuel Ejembi informed some military men in Lafia of some students who are alleged to be involved in cult activities. The soldiers picked up some of the accused students at Eji World, an entertainment centre opposite the Poly campus.”

He mentioned that the informant and the person accused were apprehended and detained by the military on the previous Friday.

He further disclosed that Achinya passed away under the alleged torture of the military personnel, and his body was taken to the Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital (DASH), Lafia.

The head of the SUG praised the students for keeping the peace following the sorrowful demise of one of their peers.

He revealed that legal proceedings had been initiated against the accused and emphasized the need for peace.

In response to the incident, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) demanded swift action to ensure the culprits are held accountable.

The Coordinator of NANS Zone C, Comrade Daniel Friday Egga, called on the state government and concerned citizens to collaborate in seeking justice for the deceased and his family.

However, NANS accused certain military personnel from the 123 Special Force Battalion of being involved in the murder and called for the immediate action of the military.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Nasarawa State Command, DSP Ramhan Nansel, assured the public that he would investigate the matter and provide a response at the time of writing this report.