Police look into death of 13-year-old student in Kano

The police are looking into the death of Maimuna Salisu, a 13-year-old student at St. Louis Secondary School in Kano.

This comes after her family made a complaint on 17 June, handed over to the police by Nakudu Law Partners, who are representing her mother, Nusaiba Dan-Sheriff.

The family claims there was foul play and points to different stories about how the girl died.

According to the complaint, the school contacted Maimuna’s parents on 13 June around 7:20 p.m. They said she had fallen ill and was taken to the International Clinic in Kano.

Maimuna’s elder sister reached the hospital at about 8:19 p.m. She was told by the doctor that Maimuna was already dead.

Her burial took place on 14 June, following Islamic customs.

However, the family is seriously concerned about what they call conflicting stories about her last moments.

While school officials first said Maimuna died from an asthma attack after arriving late to the mosque, different testimonies from the family suggest something worse happened.

The complaint states that Maimuna was punished by senior students. They allegedly flogged her and made her kneel for a long time because she refused to sweep. This treatment reportedly made her health condition worse.

Special panel set up

In response to the complaint, the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Bakori, has ordered that the case be handled openly and carefully, with respect for human rights.

To ensure a fair investigation, the police have created a Special Investigation Panel (SIP). The Deputy Commissioner of Police for the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Shehu Idris, leads this panel.

Officials from the Kano State Ministry of Justice are also part of the panel to provide legal oversight.

Teachers and senior students questioned

The investigation panel has called in several people for questioning, including one male teacher and two female teachers from the school.

They are also questioning three senior female students who were in the same school as Maimuna.

The command’s spokesperson, Abdullahi Kiyawa, promised the public that the results and recommendations from the panel will be shared when the investigation is over.

“The Kano State Police Command, along with the Ministry of Justice, assures the family of the deceased, the school community, and the public that the investigation will be thorough, fair, and open,” Mr Kiyawa said.

“Anyone found guilty will face the law, while those cleared will be exonerated.”

The command is asking the public, especially those in the St. Louis School community, to come forward with any useful information that could help with the investigation, assuring them that their identities will be kept secret.