Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, on Friday night approved the immediate suspension of key officials of the State Reformatory Centre, Babbar Ruga.
The suspension followed the report of the committee mandated to investigate the allegations of torture and mishandling of an inmate, Usman Musa.
A statement from the Secretary to the State Government, Abdullahi Faskari, confirmed that the Principal of the Centre, Abdulzahir Abubakar, the Vice Principal, Bala Abubakar, and a porter, Yunusa Yusuf, have been suspended for their roles in the incident, which tragically resulted in the amputation of the victim’s left hand and severe injury to the right hand.
The statement, signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Secretary to the State Government, Abdullahi Yar’adua, stated that the decisive action underscored the Katsina State Government’s commitment to upholding human rights, enforcing accountability, and promoting reforms across all state institutions.
The Governor, in addition, ordered the immediate termination of the appointment of one Murtala Suleiman, a casual staff member of the centre, for his involvement in the matter.
In a compassionate move towards rehabilitation of the victim, the Governor approved the sum of ₦970,000 to cover medical bills of the victim, as well as ₦35 million for the procurement of a sensor-enabled prosthetic hand to assist in his recovery and reintegration.
Radda also approved implementing a committee’s recommendations to upgrade the State Reformatory Centre to meet international best practices in correctional management and inmate welfare.
The Committee, chaired by the Special Adviser on Public Administration and Service Reforms, Alhaji Usman Isiyaku, has also been mandated to oversee the implementation of all approved measures to ensure strict compliance and long-term reform at the centre.
