Kaduna: Falsely accused 13-year-old boy tortured by soldier kills self

• After his ordeal in the hands of the security operatives, the deceased decided to end it all by hanging himself at his family’s compound on Lafiya Sarki Street

One Wisdom Hashimu, 13, has committed suicide at the Ungwan Maigero Community in the Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The incident reportedly happened on Thursday, June 7, after a soldier and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force in the area tortured the deceased.

The late Wisdom was mercilessly beaten to the point of death by the soldier and JTF members after he was reportedly falsely accused by his 16-year-old neighbour, identified simply as Hope, of stealing her N10,000 on June 1.

After his ordeal in the hands of the security operatives, the deceased decided to end it all by hanging himself at his family’s compound on Lafiya Sarki Street

Channels TV reports that Hope had invited her boyfriend, Segun Samson, who is a serving soldier at Bodi Camp in Port-Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

However, the money went missing during the visit, thereby prompting Hope to involve his boyfriend who dragged Wisdom and her brother to the Civilian JTF office.

Wisdom, who was sitting for his Junior Secondary School examination, was reportedly spirited away and beaten to a pulp by a soldier and members of the civilian JTF.

Wisdom’s father, Mr Saul, who spoke to the news medium said, “Rather than report to the police, the soldier was said to have dragged Wisdom and Hope’s brother, both accused of stealing the money, to the civilian JTF office.

“At the civilian JTF office, Wisdom was severely beaten to the point where he was unable to walk. He returned home after receiving medical attention.”

Tragedy however struck on Thursday after Wisdom’s lifeless body was found hanging on a noose at the back of their compound.

According to the grieving father, the Civilian JTF took the law into their own hands by torturing Wisdom.

“But, beyond my wildest imagination, the Civilian JTF only beat Wisdom to the point of coma while Hope’s younger brother was spared and returned home unscathed.

“After interrogation at home, her (Hope’s) younger brother confessed to the crime. When he was searched, N9,000 was found in his pocket, and he said he had spent N1,000 already,” he added.

The family therefore demanded justice over the torture that supposedly led to the suicide committed by their late son.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mansir Hassan, said investigation had begun into the matter.

“An investigation has since commenced. The Commissioner of Police has directed the Department of Criminal Investigation to take full charge of the case and whosoever is involved will be brought to justice.”