Mallam Saleh Ali, one of the parents of the Faudiya Islamic school in Geidam, Yobe State, where children were attacked and killed by suspected Boko Haram members, described the killings as barbaric and heartless.
Gunmen, suspected to be members of the Boko Haram insurgency group attacked the school in the early hours of Friday, killing three students and injuring one.
The hoodlums, according to the police, came on motorbikes with AK-47 rifles, entered into the school and shot dead three, while one of the students who got injured was taken to an undisclosed hospital where he’s receiving treatment.
While mourning the loss of his child, Ali called on the authorities, especially the police and army, to take action and bring the perpetrators to justice.
Recounting the tragic event, Ali told Sunday PUNCH that the attack took place while the children were asleep in their rooms.
According to him, the gunmen forcibly brought them out and shot three of them dead on the spot, injuring one who is currently receiving treatment at Nguru Hospital.
Ali said, “These children normally go to school every Thursday of the week and sleep in the school. The report of their killings was reported the next day, Friday, by people in their neighborhood.
“We don’t know the killers. When the police and Army visited us to condole with us over the sad incident, they did not tell us who the killers were. When we heard the sad news, we were seriously terrified.
“The school belongs to us (members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria or Shiites). The victims of the attack were Ahmad AbdulRahman, Mohammed Saleh and Abdullahi Adamu.
“The fourth victim is Saleh Haruna who is now receiving treatment at a hospital. He was shot in the leg.”
Mallam AbdulRahman, the father of late Ahmad, stated that they (parents) had entrusted the matter to God’s judgment, refusing to comment further on the attack.
He criticised the government for failing to protect the lives and property of its citizens, emphasising the urgent need for increased security measures to prevent further senseless killings.
“They have left everything in the hands of God. The Almighty will surely judge over this attack on our children.
The Headmaster of Faudiya Islamic School, Mallam Kolo Mohammed, lamented the unprecedented nature of the incident in their 30 years of operation, calling for divine justice and expressing shock at the senseless violence.
