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The acting Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, has established a seven-member Panel of Inquiry to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of a police cadet, Sulaiman Jika, at the Nigeria Police Academy in Wudil, Kano State. The panel, headed by Deputy Inspector-General of Police Abiodun Alabi, is tasked with conducting a thorough and impartial investigation into the matter.

Other members of the panel include Assistant Inspector-General Oyeyemi Oyediran, Force Medical Officer CP Garba Nzukwen, CP Homicide FCID Fom-Pam Joseph, CP Training POLAC Patrick Edung, a representative of the CP Legal as the secretary, and Principal Staff Officer II to the IG, ACP Idris Abubakar.

Egbetokun has instructed the panel to provide a comprehensive report of its findings and recommendations within four days. He expressed his condolences to Jika’s family, relations, and the academy community, promising that the police force would ensure justice is served.

The announcement was made by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in an official communication, responding to the tragic incident where Sulaiman Jika, a police cadet, passed away at the Nigeria Police Academy. Jika’s death was reported to have been due to alleged starvation and malnutrition over a period of two weeks. Some cadets had accused the Commandant, AIG Sadiq Abubakar, of high-handedness and mismanagement of feeding allowances.

A cadet, speaking anonymously to avoid repercussions, disclosed that the victim had been rushed to the academy’s clinic but was left untreated due to a lack of medication and medical personnel in an inadequate environment. The cadet tragically passed away.

Another cadet, also wishing to remain anonymous, revealed that the clinic often sees a high influx of sick cadets due to the inadequacies of the facility. The cadet mentioned concerns about the quality and quantity of food provided, highlighting that since the new commandant took office, they had been receiving inadequate and substandard meals. The tragic victim, a young cadet under 20 years old, might not have died if he had received proper medical attention.

Additionally, the cadet mentioned that the commandant had ordered the closure of the market and laundry services while approving unnecessary training exercises during lecture hours. This had resulted in cadets collapsing during training due to fatigue, exacerbated by starvation and malnutrition. Cadets feared expulsion from the academy if they fell sick, leading some to attempt to manage their illnesses to avoid dismissal.

Staff members also expressed concerns about the monthly feeding allowance at the academy, with reports of funds being diverted into private pockets by some high-ranking officials.

In an official statement by the Police Public Relations Officer of POLAC, ASP Hussain Suleman, the academy announced the passing of cadet Sulaiman Jika due to an unexpected illness. Jika had sought medical attention at the academy clinic on August 29, 2023, and was discharged after a period of treatment. However, he was readmitted on September 2, 2023, following restlessness, and despite receiving medical care and having normal vitals, he sadly passed away.

The academy expressed deep condolences to Jika’s family, friends, and loved ones and offered thoughts and prayers during this difficult time resilience to bear this heavy loss.”