Maryam Magaji, 24, is the mother of a six-year-old Muhammadu Sa’idu, also known as ‘Nabiyyu’, who was allegedly killed by a young man identified as Abdullahi at Kanwa village of Madobi Local Government Area of Kano State.
Daily Trust Saturday reports that the 25-year-old Abdullahi was in return lynched by angry residents for allegedly beheading Nabiyyu.
According to residents, Abdullahi, who was a student of a Tsangaya school (almajiri school) in Kanwa until he was expelled from the community for alleged bad behavior, hailed from Katsina State.
It was gathered that he sneaked into the community a few days before committing the murder.
The village head of Kanwa, Umar Yusuf, told reporters that Abdullahi lured Nabiyyu to a nearby primary school toilet, beheaded him and threw the head into a soak-away.
The traditional ruler said the suspect had worked as a houseboy at his victim’s home but was sacked for dubious activities.
“Abdullahi was brought to Kanwa over two years ago by one Islamic scholar, Mallam Abdulrauf from Katsina. He stayed here for two years and left four months ago.
“He returned to the village during the festive period, claiming that he came for condolence because we lost one old woman three days ago.
“It was during his visit that he lured Nabiyyu to a toilet of the nearest primary school, where he beheaded him and slashed his stomach,” the traditional ruler alleged.
He added that the suspect was caught by residents after he was seen by a boy while throwing the head of the victim into the soak-away, adding that he was initially rescued from the mob, but they forced their way to where he was kept and lynched him before the arrival of the police.
‘He was my only son and dear to me’
When Daily Trust Saturday visited Kanwa village, Nabiyyu’s mother, who is still in shock, told our correspondent that he was her only child.
“We were at home because my paternal aunty died and it was her third day, so we were still mourning. I came out and saw people saying that one almajiri had been stabbed at the primary school premises.
“When we heard that news we all went there to see what happened. That was when we saw people beating him up. We were surprised at first as we thought he was the victim.
“I asked them not to beat him and entered the toilets in the school. I went into the first one but there was nothing. When I looked into the second one, I saw a knife and blood everywhere. I went to the third one, where I saw a headless boy. His head had been cut off and thrown into the sewage.
“His stomach was also cut open. Everybody couldn’t recognise the boy, except me. When I looked at his chest and hands, I fainted and was rushed out of the place.
“Everyone knows that almajiri boy in the village. We often sent him on errands and gave him things, including money. He had three names. Some called him Abdullahi, some Zailani, while others knew him as Yusuf,” she said.
She added that before Abdullahi killed her son, he had attempted to murder other children but was not successful.
“He attempted to get some other children but they were hesitant. Some parents called their children when they saw them with him, but some followed him.
“I don’t know how he was able to kill my son, but I think it was due to how familiar he was with him. Nabiyyu wouldn’t have thought that he would harm him in any way. I believe that’s why he followed him.
“It is shocking. I pray to God to judge him for me,” she said amidst tears.
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