Amnesty International Demands Probe Into Alleged Torture Killing of Katsina Teen by Police

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Amnesty International has called on Nigerian authorities to investigate the alleged killing of a 16-year-old boy, Bishir Malam Dauda, who reportedly died in police custody in Katsina State.

In a statement shared on Facebook on Saturday, the human rights organisation alleged that the teenager was “tortured to death through severe beating with iron rod” at the ‘Yankara police outpost in Faskari Local Government Area.

According to Amnesty International, Bishir was taken from his tsangaya school on May 7, 2026, after another boy reportedly mentioned his name during an investigation into the alleged theft of a bag of soya beans.

The organisation claimed that the teenager was detained without the presence of any family member or adult guardian and was pressured to confess to the allegation.

“The victim was picked by police from his tsangaya school on 7 May 2026 after a friend mentioned his name in relation to an investigation of theft of a bag of soya beans,” Amnesty International stated.

“Unaccompanied and without the presence of any adult relation, Bishir was tied by the police and asked to make a confession. He refused. Then he was tortured more until he became lifeless.”

Amnesty International further alleged that police officers later deposited the boy’s body at the ‘Yankara Primary Healthcare Centre.

The organisation said the incident reflects what it described as a broader pattern of human rights violations by some members of the Nigeria Police Force.

“What happened to Bishir Malam Dauda exposes a pattern of ruthless human rights violations in which victims are arrested and tortured until they either make a ‘confession’ or pay officers a bribe to be released,” the statement added.

Amnesty International accused the police of operating with impunity and urged authorities not to ignore the incident.

“This incident must not be swept under the carpet. Police officers involved in this atrocity, directly and indirectly, must be held to account,” the organisation said.

The group also noted that its research since 2016 has documented cases of alleged police brutality and abuse across the country.

As of the time of filing this report, the Katsina State Police Command had not issued an official response to the allegations.