by Christiana Gokyo, Jos
The Plateau Lawyers Bar Forum has called on the Inspector-General of Police to assemble a team to investigate circumstances surrounding the death of David Shikfu Parradang on 4th March 2025.
The Forum said it’s committed to “closely monitoring developments in this matter until it is thoroughly resolved.”
The Forum made this known on Saturday during a press conference Saturday, at the NUJ Press Center Jos, led by the Chairman Mr. Ledak Dazuk Dafer, Esq., and urged the Police Service Commission and the National Human Rights Commission to look into this issue and ensure that appropriate disciplinary actions are taken against any officers responsible for this breach of protocol.
The Chairman equally called on the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to direct other security agencies to properly and thoroughly investigate as well as set up a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to unravel the reasons for the shoddy press release by the FCT Police and unravel the conflicting press releases and unearth the origin of those releases, identify persons who might have acted wrongly and recommend sanctions.
The Forum further assured that, it remains dedicated to promoting justice, upholding the rule of law, and protecting the rights and dignity of all citizens, saying, “We are also available to support and complement the efforts of the Nigeria Police Force to ensure that justice is served in this matter.”
According to the Forum Chairman, “Considering these concerns, the Plateau Lawyers Bar Forum urges the FCT Command of the Nigeria Police Force to promptly retract the graphic images of the deceased and cease any further dissemination of such materials, while also issuing a formal apology to Mr. Parradang’s family for the insensitivity demonstrated in the Press Release.
“In addition, they also call for a comprehensive and impartial investigation into the circumstances surrounding Mr. Parradang’s death, ensuring fair treatment for all parties involved, in accordance with the law, and the establishment of stricter guidelines to prevent the release of sensitive information and images in future cases.”
The Plateau Lawyers Bar Forum also extends its heartfelt condolences to the family of Mr. David Shikfu Parradang, some of whom are members of their Forum, as well as to the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Government of Plateau State, the Nigerian Immigration Service, and all compassionate Nigerians.
“While praying for the strength to endure this loss and stand in solidarity with Mr. Parradang’s family during this difficult time, the Forum expresses its deep concern regarding the Press Release, dated 4th March 2025, issued by the Nigeria Police Force, FCT Command, concerning the death of Mr. David Shikfu Parradang, a retired Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service. We also find the release of graphic images of the deceased to be highly inappropriate.”
According to him, such actions by the police not only demonstrate insensitivity but also undermine the dignity of the deceased and infringed upon the family’s right to mourn privately.