Nigeria soldiers torture student to death over allegation of cultism

Terhile Timothy Achinya, a student at the Isa Mustapha Agwai l Polytechnic Lafia studying mechanical engineering, is said to have been fatally beaten by unidentified military soldiers.

The Polytechnic community has been rocked by the news of Achinya’s death, but Dr. Nurudeen Mu’azu Maifata, the acting rector of the school, has urged calm.

The circumstances leading to the student’s death were described by the Students Union Government and Comr. Jacob John Mutuwa, President of the Isa Mustapha Agwai l Polytechnic Lafia.

“It all started when a student named Samuel Ejembi informed some military men in Lafia of some students who are alleged to be involved in cult activities. the soldiers searched and picked up some of the accused students at Eji World, an entertainment centre opposite the Poly campus.

The president explained that both the informant and the accused were picked up and taken into custody by the military on Friday last week.

Mutuwa disclosed however that Achinya died while undergoing interrogations and torture by the military men and the corpse was deposited at the Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital, Lafia.

Mutuwa expressed sadness over the unfortunate death, lamenting that if the management of the institution had allowed students to use the student accommodation built by former governor Tanko Almakura, things like this would not have occurred.

The Union president commended the students for taking a calm position despite the tragic death of a fellow student.

He assured that legal action had been instituted against the killers and called for calm.

Also reacting, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has called for prompt action to bring the perpetrators to book.

Coordinator, NANS Zone C, Comr. Daniel Friday Egga appreciated the action taken by the Management and SUG Leadership of the institution in addressing the matter.

Daniel called on the government and well-meaning individuals to join hands in seeking justice for the victim and his family.

NANS however alleged that the soldiers who were attached to the 123 Special Force Battalion were the ones responsible for the killing and urged military authorities to take immediate action.