By Musa Tanimu Nasidi
The Nigerian first lady, Aisha Buhari, has called on the relevant authorities to ensure justice for Hanifa Abubakar, a five-year old girl who was kidnapped and brutally killed by her teacher, Abdulmalik Tanko.
Aisha made the call at the government house in Kano on Wednesday when she visited the state on condolence visits over Hanifa and Sheikh Ahmad Bamba’s death.
The first lady was received by Governor Abdullahi Ganduje and his wife, Hafsat Ganduje.
Speaking at the government house, Mrs Buhari said she is in Kano to condole with the state government, families and people of the state over the death of Sheikh Bamba and to sympathise with the parents of Hanifa over her gruesome murder.
She lamented the way Hanifa’s teacher betrayed the trust of her parents to kidnap and brutally kill her.
According to her, if a teacher would breach the trust of pupils and their parents, “the society has become something else.”
“I have children and grandchildren. My grandchildren are in school and I see how they trust their teachers.
“If teachers would breach that trust, then our society has become something else,” she said.
The first lady also commended Mr Ganduje for his resolve to ensure justice for late Hanifa, saying that justice must prevail in order to serve as lesson to others.
She condoled with the people of Kano over the unfortunate incident, just as she commiserated with the government and families of late Sheikh Bamba over his death.
The first lady then prayed to Almighty Allah to repose their souls and give their families the fortitude to bear the loss.
In his remarks, Mr Ganduje also lamented that Hanifa was killed by “her custodian.”
“This is unfortunate. We will ensure justice prevail on Hanifa in order to serve as deterrence to others willing to commit such a heinous acts.
“Let me assure you that I will not waste a second to do my constitutional duty when the suspect is prosecuted. I assure you that we will do justice for the innocent girl. She is our daughter and we will do justice for her,” said Mr Ganduje.
