Governor Dikko Umaru Radda of Katsina State has ordered the immediate suspension of several senior staff members at the Babbar Ruga Reformatory Centre following a shocking case of torture that resulted in the amputation of an inmate’s hand and left another severely injured.
The action followed the submission of a comprehensive investigative report from a committee tasked with probing the incident involving a young inmate, Usman Musa. The report found multiple staff members guilty of serious misconduct and abuse of authority.
According to a statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government, Abdullahi Faskari, and conveyed by his Chief Press Secretary, Abdullahi Yar’adua, those suspended include the Centre’s Principal, Abdulzahir Abubakar; Vice Principal, Bala Abubakar; and a porter, Yunusa Yusuf.
The government condemned the incident as a grave human rights violation and a betrayal of the responsibilities entrusted to correctional personnel.
In addition, the governor approved the immediate termination of a temporary staff member, Murtala Suleiman, who was directly involved in the abuse.
To aid the recovery of the affected inmate, Governor Radda approved ₦970,000 for medical treatment and ₦35 million for the acquisition of a sensor-enabled prosthetic hand to support the victim’s rehabilitation and reintegration.
He also approved the full adoption of recommendations from a special reform committee led by Alhaji Usman Isiyaku, the Special Adviser on Public Administration and Service Reforms. The committee has been tasked with upgrading the reformatory centre to meet global standards and ensuring the enforcement of humane correctional practices.
Governor Radda emphasized his administration’s firm stance against abuse in state facilities, stating that such disciplinary actions are necessary to rebuild public trust and uphold justice.