In a tragic incident in the Ungwan Maigero Community, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, a 13-year-old boy named Wisdom Hashimu died by suicide after reportedly being tortured by a soldier and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF).
The event occurred on Thursday, June 7, following accusations that Wisdom had stolen N10,000 from a neighbor. The accusation was made on June 1 by a 16-year-old neighbor named Hope, who then involved her boyfriend, Segun Samson, a serving soldier at Bodi Camp in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Hope’s boyfriend allegedly dragged Wisdom and her brother to the CJTF office, where Wisdom, who was preparing for his Junior Secondary School examinations, was severely beaten. Wisdom’s father, Mr. Saul, stated that rather than reporting the incident to the police, the soldier took matters into his own hands.
“At the CJTF office, Wisdom was beaten so severely that he could barely walk. He returned home after receiving medical attention,” Mr. Saul recounted.
On Thursday, Wisdom’s lifeless body was found hanging in the family’s compound on Lafiya Sarki Street. According to his father, the CJTF’s actions went beyond reason as they tortured Wisdom to the point of near-coma, while Hope’s brother was spared and returned home unscathed.
“Hope’s younger brother eventually confessed to the theft. When searched, N9,000 was found in his pocket, and he admitted to having spent N1,000,” Mr. Saul added.
The family is demanding justice for the torture that led to Wisdom’s suicide. The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mansir Hassan, confirmed that an investigation had commenced. “The Commissioner of Police has directed the Department of Criminal Investigation to take full charge of the case, and anyone involved will be brought to justice,” he stated.
