A young inmate, Shamsu Muhammad, has died after sustaining a serious leg injury while in custody at the Gwauron Dutse Correctional Centre in Kano State, with his family and the Nigerian Correctional Service giving conflicting accounts of what led to the incident.
According to a report by Freedom Radio, Shamsu was allegedly bitten on the leg by another inmate after he reportedly rejected a demand for sexual relations.
The deceased’s uncle, Bello Muhammad, said Shamsu was remanded at the facility by Court No. 27 in Nomansland, Kano, presided over by Justice Hauwa Abba Musa, over an alleged offence.
Bello claimed that while in custody, an unnamed inmate approached Shamsu and attempted to engage him in a sexual act.
He said Shamsu declined the request, after which the inmate allegedly attacked him by biting his leg, resulting in an injury that reportedly affected the veins in the area.
“He told us that the inmate asked him to engage in a sexual act, but he refused. The inmate then bit him, causing serious injury to his leg,” Bello said.
The uncle further alleged that the same inmate had previously been involved in similar incidents involving other inmates at the facility.
“This person does nothing but look for men, especially newly admitted inmates. If someone refuses, he bites him, and sometimes it takes several people to pull him away,” Bello alleged.
Following the injury, Shamsu was reportedly taken to a hospital, where he received medical treatment for several days. He subsequently died.
The family’s lawyer, Barrister Garzali Dattijo Ahmed, said the family had approached the court to obtain official documentation relating to Shamsu’s death.
Ahmed said the documents would enable the family to submit a formal complaint to the appropriate authorities, including the correctional service and Kano Emirate authorities.
“We want to write a formal complaint to the authorities because sane and mentally unstable inmates are being kept together at Gwauron Dutse, and the mentally unstable ones are killing those who are mentally sound. We cannot accept this situation,” Ahmed said.
However, the Kano State Command of the Nigerian Correctional Service disputed the family’s account, particularly the claim that Shamsu was attacked after rejecting a sexual advance.
The command’s spokesperson, Musbahu Lawal Kofar Nassarawa, said an internal inquiry conducted into the matter did not establish that the incident occurred as alleged.
“Our investigation shows that the incident did not happen that way. We have strict measures in place, and it would not be possible for such a situation to occur as alleged,” Kofar Nassarawa said.
He confirmed that Shamsu sustained an injury while in custody, but maintained that the inmate received appropriate medical attention.
“It is true that he sustained an injury, and the necessary measures were taken to care for him. He was given medical attention and was eventually granted bail,” he said.
The differing versions of events have left questions surrounding the circumstances of Shamsu’s injury and subsequent death, as well as concerns over the protection and welfare of inmates at Gwauron Dutse Correctional Centre.
The family said it would determine the legal and administrative measures to pursue after obtaining the relevant documents, with the aim of establishing what happened and seeking accountability where necessary.
The latest development also comes against the backdrop of controversy surrounding allegations of sexual activity and assault among male inmates in Kano correctional facilities.
In May 2025, public attention was drawn to similar allegations after an inmate, Shehu Adamu, reportedly complained of sexual assault. Correctional authorities denied the allegation at the time, leading to widespread public debate over the treatment and safety of inmates in Kano facilities.
