By John Moses
The Kano State Government has announced a full investigation into the deaths of two students at Government Boarding Secondary School, Bichi, who were reportedly killed by fellow pupils in an apparent act of punishment.
The victims, identified as Hamza Idris-Tofawa and Umar Yusuf-Dungurawa, are said to have died after senior students allegedly attacked them with improvised metal objects known locally as “Gwale-Gwale.”
State Commissioner for Education, Ali Haruna Makoda, speaking through the ministry’s Permanent Secretary Bashir Baffa, described the incident as tragic and pledged a transparent inquiry. “The Kano State Government is committed to conducting a thorough, fair and transparent investigation to uncover the truth and ensure justice for all involved,” Makoda said.
According to initial accounts, the younger students were punished by older students over an unspecified offence, ultimately leading to their deaths. During a visit to the school, a ministry representative cautioned students against taking justice into their own hands and urged them to report grievances to school authorities.
The state government extended condolences to the victims’ families. “We pray Almighty Allah grants the deceased Jannatul Firdaus,” the commissioner added.
Alhaji Abbas Abdullahi, Director of the Kano State Senior Secondary School Management Board, described the incident as deeply concerning and reminded senior students to act responsibly.
Meanwhile, relatives of the deceased have demanded accountability. Ibrahim Yusuf-Dungurawa, an uncle of one of the victims, called for the perpetrators to be prosecuted, while Idris Garba-Tofawa, father of the second student, urged authorities to ensure such a tragedy never happens again, though he accepted the loss as God’s will.
The state government has vowed to leave no stone unturned in establishing what led to the deaths and ensuring justice is served.
