The Kano State Police Command has constituted a Special Investigation Panel (SIP) to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of a 13-year-old student of St. Louis Secondary School, Kano.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), CSP Abdullahi Haruna-Kiyawa, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday in Kano.
Kiyawa said the command received a petition dated June 17 from Nakudu Law Partners, solicitors to Mrs Nusaiba Rabiu Dan Sheriff, over the death of her daughter, Maimuna Sani Salisu, a JSS 2 boarding student of the school.
According to him, the petition alleged conflicting accounts regarding the cause of the student’s death and requested a thorough investigation to establish the facts and ensure accountability.
He said the petition stated that on June 13, school authorities informed the deceased’s parents that she was ill and had been taken to a clinic in Kano for treatment.
“The deceased’s elder sister was immediately sent to the hospital, where she was informed by the attending doctor that Maimuna had been confirmed dead.
“The student was subsequently buried on June 14 in accordance with Islamic rites,” he said.
The police spokesman said the family raised concerns over differing narratives surrounding the incident.
He said while the school reportedly attributed the death to an asthma attack, other accounts suggested that the student was allegedly punished by senior students through flogging and prolonged kneeling, which may have worsened her condition.
Kiyawa said the Commissioner of Police in the state, Ibrahim Bakori, directed that the matter be investigated thoroughly, transparently and in line with the rule of law.
He said the panel is being led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), DCP Shehu Idris.
According to him, officials of the Kano State Ministry of Justice have also been included in the panel to provide legal guidance and oversight.
“The panel commenced work immediately upon its inauguration.
“As part of preliminary investigations, three teachers, three senior students and two witnesses have been invited and are cooperating with investigators,” he said.
Kiyawa added that statements had been obtained from relevant persons, while medical, forensic and other evidentiary procedures were ongoing to determine the exact cause of death.
He assured the deceased’s family, the school community and the public that the investigation would be impartial and transparent.
The spokesman said anyone found culpable would be prosecuted in accordance with the law, while those found not responsible would be exonerated.
He added that the findings and recommendations of the panel would be made public at the conclusion of the investigation.
Kiyawa appealed to members of the public with useful information on the incident to assist the investigation, assuring that all information provided would be treated confidentially.
He also expressed the command’s condolences to the family of the deceased and prayed for the repose of her soul.