The family of Saleem Ahmed Nana, a young man serving his country in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Gombe State, is heartbroken and demanding justice after Saleem died, reportedly due to a severe beating by police officers.
Saleem, who was from Bauchi State, passed away on May 31st. This was just 10 days after he was arrested and allegedly assaulted while wearing his NYSC uniform at his family home in Kwadon, Gombe. His father, Bako Ahmed Nana, explained that Saleem, 28, had just returned from his work at the Ministry of Water Resources and Environment when police and local vigilantes stormed their house.
According to his father, the officers wrongly accused Saleem of being involved in an attack on a Divisional Police Officer (DPO). Despite people telling them Saleem was an innocent corps member in his uniform, they allegedly beat him right in front of his family. Saleem was one of 25 people arrested that day in connection with the attack on CSP Adamu Alhaji-Idi, the DPO, but his family strongly believes he had nothing to do with it and was wrongly targeted.
After his arrest, Saleem’s health quickly worsened. He reportedly suffered a broken leg and started throwing up blood. Although the police released him days later, he died while being rushed to the hospital. Saleem, the first son, had studied Environmental Management Technology and only had a few months left of his national service. His father described him as a quiet and kind young man, saying his death has shattered their family, and his mother hasn't stopped crying.
Adding to their pain, the family says they've received no apology or condolences from the police. Because of this, on June 9th, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Gombe stepped in, filing a petition demanding a full investigation and punishment for the officers involved in Saleem’s death.
The petition, sent to police authorities, specifically named senior officers, CSP Adamu Aliyu Idi and CSP Ali Hadaki, as responsible for the alleged assault. The NBA claims that after his arrest, Saleem was taken to the Kwadon Police Division and then to the state police headquarters, where he was further abused before being released in a critical state. Barrister Kabiru, who signed the petition, stressed that they are fighting for justice for Saleem, stating that no one, especially a corps member serving their country, should die this way.
However, the Gombe State Police Command, through its spokesperson ASP Buhari Abdullahi, has given a different story, claiming Saleem died from complications related to diabetes and had a leg amputated in the hospital. This claim has been strongly denied by Saleem’s family and friends. His father insists Saleem was never diabetic and that there was no amputation, explaining that they saw his body, and his leg was swollen from injuries. Images and accounts from those at his burial also support the family's claim, showing severe swelling consistent with trauma, not amputation.
Now, the grieving family is publicly pleading for help. They are urging the Nigerian government, the National Human Rights Commission, and the NYSC to get involved and ensure those responsible are held accountable. Barrister Kabiru emphasized that this is not just about Saleem but about protecting every young Nigerian serving the country. As the family prepares for Saleem’s memorial, his NYSC uniform hangs at their doorway, a painful reminder of a life cut short and justice yet to be delivered.
