NGO demands justice for 14-year-old pupil killed in Jigawa
The Grassroots Mobilisers for Better Nigeria Initiative (GMBNI), an NGO, has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic death of a 14-year-old Almajiri pupil in Jigawa State.
Mr Abbas Wangara, GMBNI Coordinator for the Northwest, made this known in a statement on Thursday in Dutse.
The News men reports that the headless corpse of the pupil was discovered by the roadside in Jikas-Dabaja village, Gwaram Local Government Area, on March 12.
The body was mutilated, with the private parts removed, prompting the police to launch an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the gruesome act.
By Sunday, the Police Command in Jigawa State announced the arrest of 45-year-old suspect in connection with the crime.
According to the police spokesperson, SP Lawan Shiisu, the suspect, a teacher of the deceased, was apprehended and detained following a tip-off.
During interrogation, the suspect allegedly admitted that the deceased had been absent from school. In response, he punished the boy, leading to his loss of consciousness and subsequent death.
In an attempt to cover up the crime, the suspect allegedly decapitated the body and removed the private parts, later burying them on his farmland to make it appear as a ritual killing.
The NGO, which advocates for the welfare of vulnerable children, condemned the inhumane treatment meted out to the pupil.
“This act of cruelty is not only a gross violation of the child’s fundamental human rights but also an affront to humanity and the values we hold dear as a society,” Wangara stated.
The organisation extended its deepest condolences to the victim’s family, condemning the brutality suffered by the child in what was supposed to be a safe learning environment.
According to GMBNI coordinator, the incident highlights the urgent need for systemic reforms in the Almajiri education system, which has long suffered from neglect, abuse, and lack of government oversight.
“No child should ever suffer such brutality, especially in a setting meant for learning and moral upbringing,” Wangara added.
He urged the government at all levels to take immediate and decisive action to address the plight of Almajiri children by ensuring their safety, dignity, and access to quality education.
GMBNI called on law enforcement agencies and the judiciary to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation, ensuring that the perpetrator was swiftly brought to justice to deter future crimes.
“Justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done for the victim, his family, and society at large,” Wangara said.
the NGO among others, urged government to establish a task force to monitor and regulate Almajiri schools nationwide and enforce strict laws to prevent abuse and protect Almajiri students.
it also demanded psychosocial support for the victim’s family and affected students and that government should integrate Almajiri children into the formal education system to give them a brighter future
Wangara stressed that society must not remain silent in the face of such violence.
“As a people, we must collectively condemn these atrocities and work to protect the rights and dignity of every child,” he said.
He reaffirmed GMBNI’s commitment under its leader, Ambassador Dr Fatima Mohammed-Goni, to advocating for vulnerable children’s rights and monitoring this case closely to ensure justice was served.
The organisation also called on Nigerians, civil society groups, and the international community to join in demanding justice for the victim and working towards a Nigeria where every child is safe, valued, and protected.
