Outrage in Taraba as 15-Year-Old Dies After Alleged Assault in State Marshal Custody, Calls for Independent Probe Grow

The death of 15-year-old Busang Ayuka after an alleged assault while in the custody of the Taraba State Marshal has sparked anger across Taraba State, with residents and civil society groups demanding a thorough and independent investigation into the incident.

Busang, a resident of Angwan Alfa in Serti B, Gashaka Local Government Area, reportedly died on Friday at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jalingo, after allegedly suffering severe injuries while in the custody of operatives of the Taraba State Marshal in Baruwa. The incident has renewed concerns over the conduct of law enforcement personnel and the protection of citizens’ rights during arrests and detention.

Reports indicate that the teenager’s arrest followed a disagreement with a friend over a missing MP3 player and a power bank. After accusing Busang of taking the items, the complainant reportedly lodged a report with the Taraba State Marshal office, leading to the teenager’s arrest.

Busang’s family alleges that he was physically assaulted while in custody. His mother, Mrs. Hasena Ayuka, said the family was contacted after his arrest and directed to the CRCN Hospital in Gashaka, where she found her son in critical condition.

“The following day, which was Sunday, officers of the Taraba State Marshal arrested my son. Later, they asked me to come to the CRCN Hospital in Gashaka, where I found him lying half-dead,” she said.

Mrs. Ayuka rejected claims that her son became ill from an ulcer while in detention, insisting he had no such medical condition.

“My son never had an ulcer. When I saw him, his neck appeared broken, parts of his body were swollen, and he could not speak. From that moment until he died, he never regained consciousness,” she alleged.

She explained that Busang was initially admitted to the CRCN Hospital in Baruwa before doctors referred him to the Federal Medical Centre in Jalingo as his condition deteriorated. He later died while receiving treatment.

The grieving mother called for justice, insisting that no allegation against her son justified the loss of his life.

“My family wants to know why my son was killed. Whatever the allegation against him, nobody has the right to take his life. We want justice for Busang,” she said.

The exact circumstances surrounding the teenager’s injuries remain unclear. No official account has explained what happened while he was in custody or whether proper arrest and detention procedures were followed. The uncertainty has intensified calls for an independent investigation, with residents urging the Taraba State Government and security agencies to ensure anyone found responsible is prosecuted.

Responding to the allegations, the Commandant of the Taraba State Marshal, retired Commissioner of Police Agyole Asenya Abeh, said the agency operates within the law and regularly instructs its personnel to respect the rights of citizens. He maintained that any operative found guilty of misconduct would be held personally accountable and stressed that the alleged incident should not be used to judge the entire agency.

Abeh added that allegations involving culpable homicide fall under the investigative powers of the Nigeria Police Force and appealed to the public not to prejudge the matter while investigations are ongoing.

As of the time of filing this report, the Nigeria Police Force had not issued an official statement or confirmed whether any investigation or arrests had been made.