A gruesome murder has sent shockwaves through Jikas-Dabaja, a rural village in Jigawa State, Nigeria, where a 45-year-old Quranic teacher, Musa Wada, was arrested for brutally killing and mutilating his own student, Bashir Adamu.
The suspect, who was apprehended on March 13, 2025, confessed to dismembering the young boy’s body in a desperate attempt to conceal his crime and avoid punishment. This horrifying case has reignited debates on child safety, abuse in Almajiri education, and the need for justice in Nigeria.
A Punishment Gone Horribly Wrong
According to Jigawa State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Lawan Shiisu Adam, the disturbing chain of events began when Wada, a respected Quranic teacher, decided to punish Bashir Adamu for repeatedly skipping classes at his Almajiri school.
Disciplining students in Almajiri schools is not uncommon, as many Quranic teachers resort to physical punishment to enforce discipline. However, in this case, the so-called discipline turned deadly.
Witness accounts and police investigations suggest that Wada severely beat Bashir, possibly using a cane or other blunt object.
The young boy lost consciousness due to the harsh beating and later died while still in Wada’s custody.
Rather than seeking help or reporting the incident to the authorities, Wada took horrific and inhumane steps to dispose of the body, attempting to erase all traces of his crime.
A Chilling Attempt to Cover Up the Crime
After realizing that his brutal punishment had resulted in the death of Bashir Adamu, Wada panicked and tried to mislead authorities by mutilating the victim’s body.
He severed the boy’s head and genital organs, believing that dismembering the corpse would make it unidentifiable.
He dumped the mutilated body along the Jikas-Dabaja village road, hoping that authorities would assume it was the work of ritualists or unknown criminals.
He then buried the severed body parts on his own farmland, convinced that doing so would eliminate any possible evidence linking him to the murder.
However, his gruesome crime did not go unnoticed.
How the Suspect Was Caught
On March 12, 2025, local villagers made a horrifying discovery—a headless, decomposing body abandoned near the roadside. Disturbed and alarmed, they immediately alerted the Gwaram Divisional Police Headquarters.
A team of law enforcement officers arrived at the scene, securing the area and launching an urgent investigation.
Autopsy reports and forensic evidence soon confirmed that the victim was a young boy, estimated to be under 12 years old.
After days of intensive questioning and community inquiries, authorities discovered that one of Wada’s students had been missing for several days.
Upon interrogation, Musa Wada broke down and confessed to the murder, detailing how he had killed and mutilated his pupil out of fear of being caught for excessive punishment.
Official Response: Police & Government Assure Justice
The Jigawa State Police Command has assured the public that justice will be served in this tragic case.
✅ Musa Wada remains in police custody and is awaiting formal charges.
✅ Authorities are conducting a thorough investigation to uncover further details.
✅ The suspect will be prosecuted in court, and officials have vowed that no leniency will be granted for such a heinous act.
Speaking on the incident, SP Lawan Shiisu Adam emphasized that the case would be handled with the utmost seriousness and that violence against children would not be tolerated in any form.
Almajiri System Under Fire: Renewed Calls for Reform
The shocking death of Bashir Adamu has reignited long-standing concerns about the safety and well-being of children in Almajiri schools.
For years, the Almajiri system—where young boys are sent away to study Islamic teachings—has been heavily criticized for exposing children to abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
This latest tragedy has sparked outrage among child rights activists, who are now calling for urgent reforms to protect students from similar fates.
Many advocacy groups are demanding:
✅ Stricter monitoring and regulation of Almajiri schools to prevent teacher abuse.
✅ Stronger laws against corporal punishment in Islamic schools.
✅ Better government intervention and support for child education.
While traditional Quranic education remains an important cultural practice, many believe that reforms are necessary to ensure that children are not placed at risk of abuse, violence, or even death.
Public Reactions & Outcry for Justice
Since the news broke, Nigerians have taken to social media to express their anger and frustration over the shocking murder. Many are demanding swift and severe punishment for Musa Wada, while others are calling on the government to take immediate action to regulate Islamic schools.
Some reactions include:
🗣️ “This is heartbreaking. How can a teacher do this to an innocent child? He must face the full wrath of the law!” – Twitter user @Justice4Bashir.
🗣️ “Almajiri schools need to be properly monitored. Too many children suffer in silence under these so-called teachers.” – Instagram comment from @ChildRightsNG.
🗣️ “Our leaders must prioritize education reform. No child should die in the hands of a teacher. This must stop.” – Facebook post by Human Rights Coalition.
The Jigawa State Government has yet to release an official statement, but pressure is mounting for authorities to take immediate steps to prevent similar tragedies.
What Happens Next?
With the case now under full police investigation, the next steps will involve:
✔ Charging Musa Wada in court for murder, mutilation, and child abuse.
✔ Further forensic analysis to strengthen the prosecution’s case.
✔ Possible reforms and crackdowns on unregulated Quranic schools.
Authorities have promised a swift and fair trial, ensuring that Bashir Adamu’s tragic death does not go unpunished.
What do you think?
Should corporal punishment be completely banned in Almajiri schools to protect children from abuse? How can the government prevent similar cases in the future?
Share your thoughts below!
