Plateau Lawyers Bar Forum Urges IGP to Investigate Ex-Immigration Boss Death

The Plateau Lawyers Bar Forum, (PLBF) has called on the Inspector General of Police, IGP to assemble a team to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of Mr. David Shikfu Parradang, a retired Comptroller General of the Nigerian Immigration
Service in Abuja on 4th March 2025.

Mr. Ledak Dazuk Dafer, Chairman of the forum, made the call during a press conference held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Plateau State Council Secretariat in Jos on Saturday.

Text of the press conference which was jointly signed by Mr. Ledak Dazuk Dafer, Esq, Chairman and Mr. Niri Isaac Darong, Esq, Secretary respectively, the forum expressed deep concerned
regarding the Press Release dated 4th March 2025, issued by the Nigeria
Police Force, FCT Command, concerning the death of Mr. David Shikfu
Parradang

The forum said they find the release of graphic images of the deceased to be
highly inappropriate, noting that 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.

“The handling of information related to Mr. Parradang’s passing raises
significant questions about professionalism and respect for human
dignity. It is essential for the Plateau Lawyers Bar Forum to address these
concerns arising from the Police Press Release and to articulate our position on this matter.”

According to the forum, the Police Press Release containing detailed and graphic information regarding the circumstances of Mr. Parradang’s death, including images of his corpse was deeply distressing for his family and loved ones, compounding their grief and intriguing upon their right to privacy during this challenging time.

“The Release, which quickly presented
conclusions from preliminary investigations, included Innuendos and conjectures that reflect poorly on a nation that honored Mr, Parradang as an officer of the Federal Republic (0FR), a Member of the National Institute (mni), and a former Comptroller General of Immigration (CGI), Mr. Parradang was recognized by the National Assembly for his meritorious service to the country, and he deserved greater respect in death than what was afforded to him ln the Release by the Police.

“The release of sensitive
information and images of Mr. Parradang amounts to a violation of any existing laws, regulations and norms relating to the treatment of deceased individuals and the dissemination of information during ongoing investigations.

“This contradicts the established Standard Operating Procedures of the Nigeria Police Force. While we acknowledge the importance of clarifying facts, especially in light of the earlier misinformation suggesting that Mr. Parradang was shot by kidnappers, we assert that the details disclosed in the Police Release could compromise the integrity of the ongoing investigation.” The forum further observed.

The group also expressed concern over what they tagged as silence by the Nigeria Immigration Service, noting that the noticeable silence from the Service regarding the treatment of its former leader is troubling.

“The NIS should take a cue from the Armed Forces of Nigeria, which treat the loss of their personnel especially high-ranking officials, whether active or retired with the seriousness it deserves. The current lack of response from the NIS reflects a concerning level of disregard.”

The 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 and to issue a formal apology to Mr. Parradang’s family for the insensitivity demonstrated in the Press Release.

They furthermore, 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 officer responsible for this breach of protocol.

While condoling the family of the deceased, Nigeria and Plateau State Government, the Plateau Lawyers Bar Forum assured them of their commitment to closely monitor developments in the matter until it is thoroughly resolved.