Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The family of Shamsu Muhammad is demanding answers after the young man died in custody at the Gwauron Dutse Correctional Centre in Kano, following injuries he allegedly sustained when he refused a sexual advance from another inmate. The incident, which has ignited a fierce dispute between the family and the Nigerian Correctional Service, has once again thrust the dark realities of Nigeria's prison system into the national spotlight, raising urgent questions about the safety of inmates and the prevalence of sexual violence behind bars.
Shamsu Muhammad was remanded at the Gwauron Dutse Correctional Centre by Court No. 27 in Nomansland, Kano, presided over by Justice Hauwa Abba Musa, over an alleged offence. According to his uncle, Bello Muhammad, shortly after his detention, an inmate approached Shamsu and attempted to engage him in a sexual act. When Shamsu refused, the inmate allegedly bit him severely on the leg, causing a serious injury that reportedly affected the veins. The uncle further alleged that the inmate had a history of preying on newly admitted inmates who rejected similar advances. "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 Muhammad alleged.
Following the injury, Shamsu was taken to a hospital for treatment but died after spending a 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 and was eventually granted bail.
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.
The tragedy at Gwauron Dutse is not an isolated incident. In May 2025, widespread controversy erupted 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. Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State had earlier paid an unscheduled compassionate visit to major custodial centres in the state following media reports alleging inadequate feeding and incidents of sexual abuse within the correctional centres.
The death of Shamsu Muhammad is a stark reminder of the systemic failures that plague Nigeria's correctional system. The mixing of mentally unstable inmates with the general population, the prevalence of sexual violence, and the lack of adequate medical care have created a lethal environment where vulnerable inmates are left to fend for themselves. The Nigerian Correctional Service's denial of the family's allegations, despite the mounting evidence and the history of similar complaints, only deepens the sense of impunity that pervades the system.
For the family of Shamsu Muhammad, the pain of losing a loved one is compounded by the struggle for justice. They have vowed to pursue legal and administrative avenues to hold the authorities accountable and ensure that no other family suffers a similar loss. But as they grieve, the question that lingers is how many more inmates must die before the government takes decisive action to reform the country's correctional facilities and protect the lives and dignity of those in custody.
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