A report has found that the alleged kidnap and murder of five-year-old Hanifa Abubakar by the proprietor of her school in Kano State has strained relationship between students and teachers.
The proprietor of Noble Kids Nursery and Primary School, Kwanar Dakata in Nasarawa Local Government, Abdulmalik Tanko, and his alleged accomplices were arraigned before a Magistrate Court on Monday. They were subsequently remanded in police custody.
Tanko had told the press that he killed Hanifa with rat poison when he realised she had identified him.
The incident has since sparked outrage among the general public, with the first lady Aisha Buhari endorsing calls for public execution of the killer.
As a measure to prevent future occurrences, the state government had announced it was revoking the licence of all private schools in Kano.
However, Daily Trust in a report said it gathered on Tuesday that most parents in some schools in the community arrived to pick their children about one hour before the closing time (1 pm).
It also gathered that parents in the community are proposing gate pass as a security measure.
The newspaper reports that a teacher in one of the schools in the area said Hanifa’s death has created a gap between teachers and students in the community.
He said, “Teachers are afraid to go to students to avoid any suspicion, while students distance themselves from teachers to avoid being abducted.”
Irate youths on Tuesday morning attacked and burnt Noble Kids Nursery and Primary School where Hanifa’s body was buried.
A businessman in the area, who is familiar with the incident, said Hanifa’s death has made parents in the community begin considering relocating.
“The tragic event that led to the death of little Hanifa has unsettled Tudun Murtala. I think the panic Tanko caused may force many people to relocate to other communities. I had discussion with some of them and they are considering moving to other communities,” he said.
