A 16-year-old student, Marwanu Nuhu Sambo, tragically died after receiving over 130 strokes of the cane from the principal and vice principal of Al-Azhar Academy in Zaria, Kaduna state.
The Kaduna State Schools Quality Assurance Authority (KSSQAA) has ordered the closure of the school while investigations are ongoing.
Eyewitnesses have revealed the horrifying details of the incident that took place on the school premises.
According to them, Marwanu Nuhu Sambo was brought to the assembly ground and subjected to over 130 strokes of the cane by the vice principal.
He was then taken to the principal’s office, where the principal, vice principal, and another staff member named Musa continued to brutally assault him.
Students described the scene as an excessive and violent punishment, with the vice principal even striking the student repeatedly on the head.
Dr. Usman Abubakar Zaria, the Director-General of KSSQAA, has confirmed the tragic incident and expressed deep concern. The KSSQAA team visited the school, engaged with the bereaved family, and spoke to some of the victim’s schoolmates.
They also visited the Divisional Police Headquarters in Zaria, where the principal and the vice principal were being detained. The victim’s death was formally confirmed at Hajiya Gambo Sawaba General Hospital in Zaria.
As a result, in accordance with its establishment Act, the KSSQAA has ordered the immediate closure of Al-Azhar Academy.
The school premises have been sealed pending the outcome of the investigation. The authorities are determined to uncover the truth and ensure justice is served.
“Attention of the Kaduna State Schools Quality Assurance Authority (KSSQAA) was drawn to the unfortunate incident that occurred at Al-Azhar Academy, Kofar Gayan, Tirunku Road, Zaria, Kaduna State. According to the school, the sad incident involved punishment action for absenteeism meted out to a JSS III (Basic 9) student, named Marwanu Nuhu Sambo, which led to the death of the student on Friday, 20th October 2023.
“The KSSQAA, Ministry of Education, representing the Kaduna State Government, was earlier today on a fact-finding visit, seeking to piece together the sequence of events that transpired: from the Al-Azhar Academy, the school where the incident happened, to engage with bereaved family as well as some school mates of the victim. The KSSQAA team then visited the Divisional Police Headquarters, Zaria City, where the principal and the vice principal were being detained.
“The fact-finding team then moved to Hajiya Gambo Sawaba General Hospital, Zaria, where the victim was formally confirmed dead.
“In the interim, guided by the provisions of its establishment Act (amended 2015), the Kaduna State Schools Quality Assurance Authority has closed down the Al-Azhar Academy, Zaria, and the school premise remains sealed, pending the outcome of the investigation,” KSSQAA stated.
The family of Marwanu Nuhu Sambo is demanding justice for their loved one.
The Kaduna State Police Command has initiated an investigation into the matter.
ASP Mansur Hassan, the spokesperson for the command, has confirmed that the case is under investigation.
The authorities are committed to uncovering the full details of the incident and holding those responsible accountable for their actions.
