Jigawa: Police arrest teacher for killing, removing student’s genitals

The Jigawa State Police Command has arrested a 45-year-old teacher, Musa Wada, for the alleged murder of his 14-year-old Almajiri student, Bashir Adamu.

The suspect reportedly beheaded the teenager and removed his genitals in a desperate attempt to mislead the public into believing the killing was a ritual attack.

The arrest was confirmed in a statement released on Saturday by the police spokesperson, SP Lawan Shiisu. According to Shiisu, detectives apprehended Wada following a tip-off.

During interrogation, the suspect confessed that the victim died while being punished for absenteeism from school.

“The suspect admitted that the deceased collapsed and died while serving punishment. To divert attention, he mutilated the body to create the impression that it was a ritual killing,” Shiisu stated.

The horrifying incident unfolded on March 12, 2025, when a beheaded body without genital organs was discovered along the roadside in Jikas-Dabaja village, Gwaram Local Government Area. The decomposing corpse was later identified as Bashir Adamu, a student under the suspect’s care.

Wada, a resident of Jikas-Dabaja village, reportedly confessed that Bashir had been absent from school without explanation.

When questioned, the teenager failed to provide a satisfactory reason, prompting Wada to administer punishment. During the process, Bashir reportedly lost consciousness and died.

In a chilling attempt to cover up the incident, Wada decided to mutilate the body, removing the head and genitals to create the false impression of a ritual killing.

He later buried the severed body parts in his farmland.

SP Shiisu provided further details, stating, “On 13/03/2025 at about 1530hrs, one Mal. Musa Wada ‘m’ age 45yrs of Jikas-Dabaja village, Gwaram LGA, was arrested in connection with the gruesome killing of his pupil (Almajiri), one Bashir Adamu.

Following a tip-off, detectives attached to the Gwaram Division successfully arrested the suspect.”

The police spokesperson added that the suspect’s actions were a deliberate attempt to deceive the public and divert attention from the actual cause of death. “He added that the removed head and genital organs were buried in his farmland,” Shiisu noted.

The Almajiri system, which involves sending children to Islamic schools far from their homes, has long been criticized for exposing children to abuse and neglect.

Authorities have vowed to ensure that the suspect faces the full wrath of the law. “Upon completion of the investigation, the suspect will be arraigned before the court to face the full wrath of the law,” Shiisu stated.

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