The Kaduna Police Command has officially verified the apprehension of the Principal and Vice Principal of Al-Azhar School in Zaria, Kaduna State. They are suspected of being linked to the case of corporal punishment that resulted in the tragic passing of Marwanu Nuhu Sambo, a JSS3 student at the institution, which occurred on Friday. The incident reportedly transpired when Sambo was subjected to severe physical punishment by the Principal, Vice Principal, and student prefects of Al-Azhar Academy due to his absenteeism from school.
Upon reaching out for confirmation regarding the school management’s statement about the arrest of individuals involved in the unfortunate incident, the Police Command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Mansir Hassan, responded with, “The Police are thoroughly informed about the incident, and we have the situation under control.”
“Two suspects have been arrested in connection to the development. The CP has directed a full-scale investigation on the matter, and we will get to ita root cause.” The PPRO said.
Reports indicate that Sambo was brought before the Assembly for his class absences and subsequently endured severe penalties, which included receiving more than a hundred lashings with a cane.
During the assembly, the Principal issued a directive for Marwanu to receive 105 cane strokes. Subsequently, they transported him to an office, where they removed his clothing and trousers, continuing to subject him to a brutal beating with sticks on various parts of his body, including his head and back.
Following this, the Principal transferred him to the school prefects, who persisted in assaulting him with sticks, leading to the loss of one of his teeth. It was at this juncture that the student fell into a state of unconsciousness.
Instead of promptly seeking medical assistance, the prefects removed him from the scene and left his body on the school premises, adjacent to the male toilets, where it remained until the end of the school day.