By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu
The Kuntau community in Gwale Local Government Area of Kano State has been thrown into grief following the death of a 24-year-old Imam, Salim Usman, who allegedly died in police detention.
Usman was reportedly arrested on September 22, shortly after leading Magrib prayers, over allegations of buying a stolen bag of flour last year.
Family sources claimed CCTV footage showed officers assaulting the cleric at the point of arrest before taking him into custody.
His father, Sheikh Adam Usman, alleged that the beating continued at the police station, which he believes led to his son’s death the same night.
He further narrated that when he rushed to the Dorayi Karama Police Station, he was denied access to see his son and only later informed that Salim had “fallen sick” and was taken to hospital.
It was eventually discovered that the cleric had died, with his body first presented as that of an “unidentified person” at Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital before being moved to Abdullahi Wase Specialist Hospital.
The family has lodged a formal complaint, with police authorities confirming the arrest of some officers over alleged unprofessional conduct.
A court-approved autopsy was conducted at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, with the report expected in four weeks.
Salim’s remains were released for burial on September 26.
The community has continued to mourn the young Imam, describing him as a peace-loving cleric whose death has raised widespread concern.