Nigerian Man Dies After Detention at Indian Railway Station; Investigation Launched

An investigation is underway into the death of a Nigerian national who collapsed and died after being detained by police at Surat Railway Station in India. The Government Railway Police (GRP) launched the inquiry following the man's death under suspicious circumstances on Wednesday.

The deceased, whose identity remains undisclosed, was traveling from Mumbai to Delhi on the Golden Temple Express. He was detained at Surat Railway Station after an alleged altercation with another passenger on the train, which occurred between Vapi and Surat. Police sources claim the Nigerian man sprayed a fire extinguisher at passengers during the confrontation.

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

Upon reaching Surat, he was taken to the Railway Protection Force (RPF) office for questioning. Authorities reported that he later collapsed at the station and was rushed to the Surat Municipal Institute of Medical Education and Research (SMIMER) Hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival. The GRP has registered a case of accidental death and is examining the events leading up to his demise.

Preliminary investigations suggest the man was a Nigerian national residing in Vasai, Mumbai. According to Western Railway Superintendent of Police Abhay Soni, the deceased was not carrying identification when apprehended. Soni also stated that the Nigerian had been arrested twice previously in Mumbai for drug trafficking cases in 2018. Authorities are gathering statements from the police officers involved in the detention and questioning, and are awaiting the autopsy report to shed further light on the circumstances surrounding the death.

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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. The investigation of the custodial death is being carried out by Deputy Superintendent of Police D H Gaur.