Nigerian national dies after detention at Indian railway station
A Nigerian national died after being detained and questioned by Railway Protection Force officials at Surat Railway Station in India. The Government Railway Police has launched an investigation into the death. The man was traveling from Mumbai to Delhi on the Golden Temple Express when he was detained at Surat following an alleged altercation with fellow passengers. Police sources stated the incident began on August 17 after a passenger reported the Nigerian national and another passenger allegedly fighting. During the altercation, the Nigerian reportedly sprayed a fire extinguisher at co-passengers while the train was between Vapi and Surat stations. He was detained at Surat, taken to the RPF office for questioning, and reportedly collapsed. He was rushed to the Surat Municipal Institute of Medical Education and Research Hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival. The Surat GRP registered a case of "accidental death." Western Railway Superintendent of Police, Abhay Soni, said preliminary findings indicated the deceased was a Nigerian national living in Vasai, Mumbai, and did not have identification cards when detained. Soni also disclosed that the man had been arrested twice by Mumbai police in 2018 in connection with cocaine trafficking cases. The purpose of his trip to Delhi is under investigation. The GRP has commenced an inquiry, with statements expected from officers involved in the detention and those present at the RPF office, and is awaiting the autopsy report.
