A young man identified as Shamsu Muhammad has died while in custody at the Gwauron Dutse Correctional Centre in Kano, following injuries reportedly sustained during an altercation with another inmate.
According to a report by Freedom Radio, Shamsu was allegedly bitten on the leg by another inmate after he reportedly refused a demand for sexual relations.
The deceased’s uncle, Bello Muhammad, said the incident occurred after Shamsu was remanded at the correctional facility by Court No. 27 in Nomansland, Kano, presided over by Justice Hauwa Abba Musa, over an alleged offence.
Bello said Shamsu had told him that an unnamed inmate approached him and allegedly attempted to engage him in a sexual act.
According to him, Shamsu refused, after which the inmate allegedly bit him severely, causing an injury that reportedly affected the veins around his leg.
“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.
He further alleged that the inmate had previously been involved in similar incidents involving other inmates.
“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 for treatment, he later died after spending few days receiving medical attention.
The family’s lawyer, Barrister Garzali Dattijo Ahmed, said they had approached the court seeking official documents of Shamsu’s death so that the family could formally petition the relevant authorities, including the correctional service and the 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 has rejected the allegation that Shamsu was attacked because he refused a sexual advance.
The command’s spokesperson, Musbahu Lawal Kofar Nassarawa, said an internal investigation did not support the claim, while confirming that Shamsu sustained an injury and was provided with medical attention.
“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 added that Shamsu was properly attended to after sustaining the injury.
“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 conflicting accounts have raised concerns about the circumstances surrounding Shamsu Muhammad’s death and the safety and welfare of inmates at the facility.
The deceased’s family said they will decide on the legal and administrative steps they will take to seek clarification and accountability over the circumstances surrounding his death.
In May 2025, There was also widespread controversy over allegations of increasing cases of inmates seeking sexual relations with other male inmates in Kano correctional facilities.
The controversy began after an inmate Shehu Adamu, reportedly raised a complaint of sexual assault, although the correctional authorities denied the allegation, sparking intense debate among members of the public.
Inmate dies in Kano correctional facility after alleged sexual assault