Two police officers in the UK are under investigation for possible gross misconduct following the death of 18-year-old Henry Nowak, who was handcuffed and arrested while suffering from fatal stab wounds. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) announced the investigation after reviewing the officers’ actions at the scene.
Henry Nowak was stabbed to death in December 2025 by Vickrum Digwa, who used a large blade he claimed to carry because of his Sikh faith. After the attack, Digwa falsely told police that he had been the victim of a racist assault. He was convicted of murder and sentenced in June 2026 to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 21 years.
According to the IOPC, the investigation will examine whether the first two officers who arrived at the scene failed to recognize that Nowak required urgent medical treatment. Investigators are also reviewing the decision to arrest and handcuff the teenager instead of providing immediate first aid.
The watchdog further stated that one of the officers may have breached professional standards by allegedly dismissing Henry’s repeated claims that he had been stabbed. The findings have been shared with the victim’s family, who have consistently questioned how the incident was handled.
IOPC Director of Engagement Derrick Campbell said there is sufficient evidence to justify gross misconduct investigations, adding that the case has the potential to undermine public confidence in policing. He stressed, however, that serving misconduct notices does not automatically lead to disciplinary action, as the final decision will be made after the investigation is completed.
The watchdog has expanded its inquiry following formal complaints from the Nowak family. Investigators will review not only the officers’ conduct at the scene but also the actions of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary’s control room staff, including how emergency calls were managed and the information passed to responding officers and ambulance crews.
The investigation will also assess whether the race or religion of those involved influenced police decision-making. It will examine whether assumptions linked to community tensions played any role in the officers’ response.
The incident occurred against the backdrop of heightened tensions in Southampton, where protests and counter-protests had taken place near the Highfield House Hotel in the months leading up to the killing.
Henry’s family has also raised concerns over the apparent difference in treatment between their son and his attacker. They argue that Henry, despite being the victim, was handcuffed while critically injured, whereas Digwa was treated with greater dignity after his arrest.
Following the murder trial, Hampshire Police publicly apologized to the Nowak family for the way officers handled the incident. The IOPC said it will also consider whether changes to policing policies or operational procedures are necessary to prevent similar cases in the future.
The release of police bodycam footage in June sparked protests in Southampton, during which clashes with police left 12 officers and one police dog injured. Community leaders, including representatives of Southampton’s Sikh community, condemned the violence and urged residents to maintain peace while distancing themselves from the actions of Digwa.
Meanwhile, the UK Attorney General’s Office has referred Digwa’s sentence to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme, seeking a review of whether the punishment imposed was sufficiently severe.
About the author
Village People singer Victor Willis dies at 74
Victor Willis, the lead singer and co-founder of the iconic disco group Village People, has died at the age of 74 after a brief but aggressive illness. His death was confirmed through an official statement posted on the band's social media platforms and by his wife, Karen Huff-Willis. Born in Texas and raised in San Francisco, Willis first developed his musical talent by singing gospel music in his father's Baptist church before expanding into jazz and soul. His early career included performances with local bands and appearances alongside renowned musicians, paving the way for a successful career on stage. Before achieving global fame with Village People, Willis appeared in several acclaimed musical productions, including Hair, Two Gentlemen of Verona, and The Wiz on Broadway. It was during this period that he met French producer Jacques Morali, who later invited him […]
Chris Brown liable in $12.9m dog attack lawsuit
US singer Chris Brown has been ordered to pay nearly $13 million in damages after a Los Angeles jury found him legally responsible for a dog attack that seriously injured his housekeeper at his California home in 2020. The verdict followed a two-week civil trial in which the jury ruled in favor of Maria Avila, who was attacked by a 200-pound (90kg) Caucasian shepherd named Hades while taking out the trash at Brown's residence in Tarzana, California. According to the ruling, Brown and his company, Black Pyramid LLC, must pay Avila $12.9 million in compensation for negligence. The court concluded that they were responsible for the circumstances that led to the attack. Avila told the court that the dog inflicted devastating injuries, tearing away large sections of skin and leaving her with permanent facial disfigurement, extensive scarring, partial vision loss […]
UK officers investigated over dying teen’s arrest
Two police officers in the UK are under investigation for possible gross misconduct following the death of 18-year-old Henry Nowak, who was handcuffed and arrested while suffering from fatal stab wounds. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) announced the investigation after reviewing the officers' actions at the scene. Henry Nowak was stabbed to death in December 2025 by Vickrum Digwa, who used a large blade he claimed to carry because of his Sikh faith. After the attack, Digwa falsely told police that he had been the victim of a racist assault. He was convicted of murder and sentenced in June 2026 to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 21 years. According to the IOPC, the investigation will examine whether the first two officers who arrived at the scene failed to recognize that Nowak required urgent medical treatment. Investigators […]
Circulation suspendue sur les ponts de Boko et Anfoin
Les autorités togolaises ont suspendu jusqu’à nouvel ordre la circulation des véhicules sur les ponts de Boko et d’Anfoin, situés dans la région Maritime, en raison de préoccupations liées à leur état structurel. Cette décision fait suite à une mission d’évaluation technique menée par les services des Travaux publics de la région Maritime. Les inspections ont révélé des signes de fragilité sur les deux ouvrages, nécessitant des mesures préventives afin de garantir la sécurité des usagers. À compter de cette décision, seuls les piétons et les conducteurs d’engins à deux roues sont autorisés à traverser les ponts. L’accès est interdit à tous les autres véhicules, y compris les voitures particulières, les poids lourds et les transports en commun. Pour limiter les perturbations de la circulation, un itinéraire de déviation a été mis en place. Les automobilistes sont invités à emprunter […]
La FIDH et l’OMCT plaident pour le retour des exilés
La Fédération internationale pour les droits humains (FIDH) et l’Organisation mondiale contre la torture (OMCT) ont adressé une lettre ouverte aux autorités togolaises, les appelant à prendre des mesures pour permettre le retour en toute sécurité des défenseurs des droits humains actuellement en exil. Cette initiative intervient un an après les manifestations de juin 2025, organisées notamment contre la réforme constitutionnelle, la hausse du coût de la vie et l’emprisonnement de plusieurs membres de la société civile. Les deux organisations estiment que la situation des droits humains demeure préoccupante. Selon la FIDH et l’OMCT, la répression de ces manifestations aurait entraîné plus d’une centaine d’arrestations, 21 cas présumés de torture ou de mauvais traitements, ainsi que cinq décès. Les organisations indiquent qu’aucune enquête n’a, à ce jour, permis d’établir les responsabilités, alimentant un climat d’inquiétude parmi les acteurs de la […]
L’UDS-TOGO appelle à un dialogue après l’arrêt de la CEDEAO
L’Union des Démocrates Socialistes du Togo (UDS-TOGO) a salué la décision rendue par la Cour de justice de la CEDEAO concernant la réforme constitutionnelle de 2024. Le parti estime que cet arrêt constitue une étape importante dans le débat politique national et renouvelle son appel à l’organisation d’une concertation nationale inclusive en vue de parvenir à un consensus sur l’avenir institutionnel du pays. Dans son arrêt rendu le 29 janvier 2026, la Cour de justice de la CEDEAO a estimé que la réforme constitutionnelle adoptée le 25 mars 2024, qui a instauré la Ve République en remplaçant le régime semi-présidentiel par un régime parlementaire et en supprimant l’élection du président de la République au suffrage universel direct, constitue un « changement inconstitutionnel de gouvernement » au regard de l’article 23 de la Charte africaine de la démocratie, des élections et […]
Related
Ghana pushes for concrete slavery reparations after UN slavery vote
Ghana is ramping up its push for concrete slavery reparations after successfully spearheading a landmark United Nations resolution recognising the transatlantic slave trade as one of history’s gravest crimes against humanity. In March 2026, Ghana led 123 UN member states to adopt a resolution that declared the transatlantic slave trade the gravest crime against humanity and described calls for reparations as a “concrete step towards remedy” for historical wrongs. The resolution urges formal apologies from states and institutions that profited from slavery, as well as discussions on reparations that could include direct financial compensation, development support and the return of looted African cultural property. Building on the UN vote, Ghana will host a major global conference on reparatory justice in Accra from June 17 to 19, aimed at “charting the next phase of the global reparations agenda” and turning broad […]
Le Togo teste sa réponse aux catastrophes majeures
Le Togo intensifie ses efforts en matière de gestion des catastrophes et de protection civile face à la montée des risques climatiques, sanitaires et technologiques. Dans cette dynamique, le gouvernement a lancé à Afagnan, dans la préfecture du Bas-Mono, l'exercice national de simulation multirisque baptisé « Mia Dzrado 2026 », sous la coordination de l'Agence nationale de la protection civile (ANPC). Prévu du 8 au 18 juin 2026, cet exercice grandeur nature a pour objectif d'évaluer les capacités opérationnelles du dispositif national de gestion des urgences et de renforcer la coordination entre les différentes structures impliquées dans la réponse aux catastrophes. Plusieurs scénarios de crise sont simulés au cours de l'opération. Il s'agit notamment d'inondations, de mouvements de populations, d'épidémies de choléra, d'accidents de la circulation, de chavirements d'embarcations, d'incendies, de déversements de produits chimiques ainsi que d'incidents liés à […]
Lomé accueille un atelier sur la libre circulation
Lomé accueille depuis le jeudi 28 mai 2026 un atelier technique consacré aux acteurs intervenant aux frontières de l’espace communautaire ouest-africain. La rencontre réunit notamment des transporteurs, des transitaires, des commerçantes transfrontalières ainsi que des agents des postes frontaliers. L’objectif principal est de renforcer les connaissances des participants sur le protocole de la CEDEAO relatif à la libre circulation des personnes et des biens, tout en promouvant des pratiques commerciales plus transparentes et équitables aux frontières. L’initiative est portée conjointement par le Groupe de réflexion et d’action Femme, Démocratie et Développement (GF2D-CRIFF), la Commission de la CEDEAO et l’Organisation internationale pour les migrations (OIM). Les organisateurs souhaitent apporter des réponses concrètes aux nombreuses difficultés rencontrées quotidiennement aux frontières de la sous-région. Selon Ginette Bayi Adekambi, directrice exécutive du GF2D-CRIFF, plusieurs obstacles persistent malgré les textes communautaires existants. Elle évoque notamment […]
Mangongo Vows to Take Nigeria to 2028 Cricket World Cup
The Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) has appointed Zimbabwean tactician Stephen Mangongo as the new head coach of the national men’s team, with the coach vowing to lead Nigeria to the 2028 Cricket World Cup. Mangongo was officially unveiled on Wednesday, May 27, at the TBS Cricket Oval in Lagos. Newsmen confirmed his appointment ahead of the ceremony, marking a new chapter for Nigerian cricket under a coach with extensive experience in African cricket development. During his unveiling, Mangongo expressed determination to qualify Nigeria for the 2028 Cricket World Cup, pledging to build a competitive team capable of challenging the continent’s top sides. He emphasized developing local talent, improving team cohesion, and winning the ICC T20 World Cup Africa Sub-Regional qualifiers as stepping stones to the global tournament. The appointment follows the exit of former coach Steve Tikolo, who had overseen […]
La SIN et ST DIGITAL lancent un cloud privé
La Société d’Infrastructures Numériques (SIN) et ST DIGITAL ont signé, mardi 26 mai 2026 à Lomé, un partenariat stratégique visant à lancer une offre de services de cloud privé au sein du Lomé Data Centre (LDC). À travers cette collaboration, les deux entreprises ambitionnent de renforcer la souveraineté numérique du Togo et de soutenir le développement des services digitaux locaux. L’accord a été conclu entre Attia Byll, directrice générale de la SIN, et Justine Adebiyi, directrice générale de ST DIGITAL Togo. Cette alliance réunit deux acteurs importants du secteur numérique togolais. La SIN assure la gestion du Lomé Data Centre, une infrastructure certifiée Tier III par l’Uptime Institute, avec un taux de disponibilité estimé à 99,982 %. De son côté, ST DIGITAL est spécialisée dans les solutions de cloud souverain, l’intelligence artificielle et l’ingénierie logicielle en Afrique de l’Ouest. Le […]
More criticism trails Makinde over Wetie comment
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde is facing growing criticism over his recent reference to Operation Wetie, a violent episode in the political history of the old Western Region.The governor reportedly used the expression during a political gathering in Ibadan at the weekend, a remark that many now see as irresponsible and dangerous. Opposition figures, civil society groups and concerned citizens have condemned the statement, warning that such language could encourage political thuggery and undermine peace in the state.They argue that referencing a period associated with arson, killings and severe unrest sends the wrong signal ahead of the 2027 election cycle. Some critics insist that leaders must promote calm and constructive engagement instead of inflammatory rhetoric.They stress that Oyo State has enjoyed relative stability in recent years and should not return to a climate of fear or politically motivated attacks. Political […]
Be the first to leave a comment