The widow of a police inspector, Ahmadu Babayo, has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, seeking an independent investigation into her husband’s death following his alleged 35-day detention.
In the petition dated October 28, 2026, Mrs Fatima Ibrahim Jalo alleged that her husband, who served with the State Intelligence Department at the Borno State Police Command headquarters in Maiduguri, was released from custody in critical medical condition before he died two days later.
She called on the police authorities to establish the circumstances surrounding his detention, release and subsequent death, and ensure accountability if any wrongdoing is established.
The petition named Assistant Inspector-General of Police in Gombe, a Commissioner of Police in neighbouring state , and three other officers in connection with the allegations.
The other officers mentioned were ASP, CSP Musa and an Inspector.
According to Jalo, her husband was taken into custody on September 21 and remained there until October 26, 2026. She alleged that he was neither arraigned before a court nor presented with a lawful order authorising his continued detention.
The widow further claimed that the senior police officer instructed the commissioner to keep her husband in detention “until death”.
She said Babayo was handed over to her on October 26 in a critical condition and died on October 28 after receiving medical attention in Maiduguri.
Jalo urged the IGP to order an independent inquiry to determine whether the circumstances of her husband’s detention and release contributed to his death.
She also questioned the cause of death stated in a medical report, alleging that the findings did not correspond with her husband’s condition when he was released.
Consequently, she requested an independent forensic assessment of the medical report and a post-mortem examination to establish the cause of death.
The petitioner called for an investigative panel whose members would be independent of the officers and police formations mentioned in the complaint.
She also asked the police authorities to preserve and produce relevant evidence, including custody registers, duty rosters, official communications, detention orders, medical records and any available closed-circuit television footage that could assist investigators.
As part of the measures she proposed, Jalo requested the suspension of the officers under investigation or their removal from positions that might enable them to interfere with the inquiry.
She further urged the appropriate authorities to initiate disciplinary proceedings or criminal prosecution against any officer found culpable after the investigation.
Beyond the call for accountability, the widow sought compensation and payment of her late husband’s outstanding salaries, entitlements and benefits. She also requested protection for members of her family and potential witnesses against possible intimidation or reprisals.
The petition raised questions about alleged violations of constitutional protections for personal liberty, life and human dignity, as well as possible offences relating to unlawful detention, abuse of office and culpable homicide.
Jalo stated that her husband had served in the Nigeria Police Force for 23 years. She also alleged that his salaries for September and October 2026 were stopped on the directive of the Borno State Commissioner of Police.
Copies of the petition were reportedly sent to several institutions for their attention, including the Police Service Commission, the Attorney-General of the Federation, the National Human Rights Commission, the Ministry of Police Affairs and the Office of the National Security Adviser.
The Senate and House of Representatives committees responsible for police affairs were also listed among the recipients.
Jalo said she reserved the right to pursue legal remedies if the complaint did not receive prompt and satisfactory attention.
