Nigerian National Dies in India Following Railway Station Detention

Indian authorities are currently investigating the death of a Nigerian citizen who passed away after being held and interrogated by the Railway Protection Force (RPF) at Surat Railway Station. The Government Railway Police (GRP) has commenced a probe to ascertain the exact circumstances leading to his demise.

The deceased, whose name has not been released, was reportedly en route from Mumbai to Delhi aboard the Golden Temple Express. He was apprehended at Surat after an alleged dispute with other travellers, as reported by The Indian Express on Thursday.

According to police, the incident originated on August 17 when a concerned passenger dialled the railway helpline, 139, to report an alleged physical confrontation involving the Nigerian national and another individual close to one of the train’s exits. Police sources indicated that during the heated argument, while the train was moving between Vapi and Surat stations, the Nigerian man reportedly discharged a fire extinguisher towards fellow passengers.

Following this, he was taken into custody at Surat and transported to the RPF office for interrogation. It was there that he reportedly collapsed. Emergency services then rushed him to the Surat Municipal Institute of Medical Education and Research Hospital, but medical personnel confirmed his death upon arrival.

The Surat GRP has officially recorded the case as an “accidental death”. The post-mortem examination, performed on August 18, was still awaiting its full report as of Wednesday evening, the publication noted.

Abhay Soni, the Superintendent of Police for Western Railway, revealed that initial investigations suggest the deceased was a Nigerian national residing in Vasai, Mumbai. Soni informed The Indian Express, stating, “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.”

Furthermore, Soni disclosed that the individual had a history with law enforcement, having been arrested twice by Mumbai police in 2018 on charges related to cocaine trafficking. He quoted, “He lived in Vasai (Mumbai) and was arrested twice by Malwani and Malad police in Mumbai for drug (cocaine) trafficking cases in 2018.”

The police superintendent also confirmed that the Nigerian had boarded the train from Borivali in Mumbai, adding that the precise reason for his journey to Delhi was still being investigated. Soni further elaborated that the GRP had initiated an official inquiry into the death, and they anticipate gathering statements from the police officers involved in the detention process, as well as any individuals present at the RPF office. He affirmed, “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.”

Deputy Superintendent of Police D H Gaur is leading the investigation into the Nigerian national's death.