Soldiers torture boy to death over phone in Plateau

There is tension in Sha community, Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State, following allegation that some security operatives attached to Operation Safe Haven, OSH, keeping the peace in state, have tortured a youth to death over a missing phone.

Their victim allegedly died of internal bleeding from the torture. Besides the victim identified as Atajan Amadu, another youth was reportedly killed when OSH operatives allegedly shot at a group of youths protesting the killing of one Mr. Stephen Adamu by herdsmen. 

The duo were said to have died in a hospital as the result of injuries sustained in the two incidents. On Amadu, a resident who spoke on condition of anonymity claimed that “Atajan Amadu had internal bleeding after being brutalised by the Special Task Force operating in Sha village, Bokkos Local Government Area over a friend’s missing mobile phone. 

“He was invited for questioning by the military personnel after he allegedly used his friend’s phone to take pictures at a secondary school graduation ceremony, but could not return it. “He explained to the security operatives that he used the phone, but handed it to an unidentified individual who requested to use it over to also take pictures, but disappeared with it.

He died this morning (yesterday).” We’re not aware—Police Contacted, State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Mathias Tyopev, said: “I don’t have the information. But Operation Safe Haven may have it, since it was alleged that one of their personnel beat someone to stupor and the person allegedly died later. “I am not aware and since the family has not officially reported to the Police that something of that nature happened, I can’t comment on what I am not aware of.” Similarly, the spokesman of OSH, Major Adams Umar, said: “I have not been notified, but I will get across to our men in that area because we have been out on operational visit to Wase. “I will get across to our people there so that I can get the details.

 “The challenge is that sometimes the network may not connect and sometimes those that have the information to give are busy on the field and may not pick calls until they are done. “But once I get across and gather the details, I will get back to you.”