DistantNews
Support us
🇳🇬 Nigeria /Energy & Infrastructure

Nigerian dies after detention at Indian railway station

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • A Nigerian national died after being detained and questioned by Railway Protection Force officials at Surat Railway Station in India.
  • The man was traveling from Mumbai to Delhi when he was detained following an alleged altercation with fellow passengers.
  • Police are investigating the death, with preliminary findings suggesting the deceased had prior arrests for cocaine trafficking.

An investigation is underway into the death of a Nigerian national who died after being detained by Railway Protection Force (RPF) officials at Surat Railway Station in India. The Government Railway Police (GRP) are examining the circumstances surrounding the incident.

After primary investigations, it is believed that the deceased was a Nigerian national. When Surat RPF caught him, he didn’t have any of his identity cards with him.

— Abhay SoniWestern Railway Superintendent of Police, providing preliminary findings on the deceased's identity and lack of identification.

The deceased was traveling from Mumbai to Delhi on the Golden Temple Express when he was detained at Surat. According to reports, the detention followed an alleged altercation with other passengers on the train. Police sources claim the Nigerian national sprayed a fire extinguisher at co-passengers during the dispute.

After being detained and taken to the RPF office for questioning, the man reportedly collapsed. He was rushed to the Surat Municipal Institute of Medical Education and Research Hospital, where he was declared dead upon arrival. The Surat GRP has registered a case of accidental death, and an autopsy has been conducted, with results pending.

He lived in Vasai (Mumbai) and was arrested twice by Malwani and Malad police in Mumbai for drug (cocaine) trafficking cases in 2018.

— Abhay SoniWestern Railway Superintendent of Police, revealing the deceased's prior arrests.

Preliminary investigations indicate the deceased was a Nigerian national residing in Vasai, Mumbai. Railway Police stated he did not have identification on him when apprehended. Further information revealed that the man had been arrested twice previously in Mumbai for cocaine trafficking cases in 2018. The purpose of his trip to Delhi remains under investigation.

We have started an inquiry. Statements from the police officials who caught him and those present at the police station will be taken. We are also waiting for the autopsy report.

— Abhay SoniWestern Railway Superintendent of Police, detailing the ongoing investigation into the death.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog