Student's Death: After Zagazola Report, Kaduna Government Orders Arrest of Principal, His Vice and Indefinite Closure of Al-Azhar Academy Zaria
By: Zagazola Makama
The Kaduna State Government has ordered the arrest of the Principal and Vice Principal of Al-Azhar Academy, over alleged murder of Marwanu Nuhu Sambo, a JSS3 student of the school, who died Friday, 20 October 2023, after being brutally beaten.
Zagazola had in an exclusive report on Saturday, broke the sad news of death of a JSS3 student of Al-Azhar Academy, Marwanu Nuhu Sambo, following brutal punishment meted to him by the school principal and others for missing classes.
Dr. Usman Abubakar Zaria, the Director General of the Kaduna State Schools Quality Assurance Authority (KSSQAA) stated this in a statement released on Sunday.
Usman said that the attention of KSSQA was drawn to the unfortunate incident that occurred at Al-Azhar Academy, Kofar Gayan, Turunku Road, Zaria, Kaduna State.
"The sad incident involved punishment actions for absenteeism meted to a JSS III (Basic 9) student, named Marwan Nuhu Sambo, which led to the death of the student on Friday, 200
October. 2023.
"The KSSQAA, Ministry of Education, representing the Kaduna State Government, went on a fact-finding mission visit seeking to piece together the sequence of events that transpired: from the Al-Azhar Academy, the school where the incident happened, to home of the victim to offer condolences and engage with bereaved family as well as some school mates of the victim.
KSSQAA team visited the Divisional Police Headquarters, Zaria City, where the school 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.
Finally, the fact finding team visited the graveyard where the victim was said to had been put to rest yesterday, and noted a fresh-looking grave.
According to the statement, "The State Government, under the leadership of His Excellency, Governor Uba Sani, wishes to assure the general public of its firm resolve to ensure conducive learning environment, equity and Justice.
"Against this backdrop, members of the general public are urged to remain calm and law abiding while the investigation is carried out for justice to be served accordingly.
"In the interim, guided by the provisions of its establishment Act (amended 2015), the Kaduna State Schools Quality Assurance Authority has closed down Al-Azhar Academy, Zaria and the school premise remains sealed - pending the outcomes of the investigation".
