From Noah Ebije, Kaduna
Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani on Tuesday received the Almajiri boy, Isah Muazu whose picture went viral on social media after being tortured by his Islamic school teacher in Suleja, Niger State.
The teacher identified as Malam Nura, inflicted several wounds on the boy’s back.
The Governor however vowed to press criminal charges against the Almajiri school teacher, saying that, there is no part of the Qur’an that says under age children should be tortured in a dehumanising manner.
The 11 year old Muazu was repatriated back to Kaduna from Niger alongside other children in similar Almajiri schools that are in the habit of maltreating children.
Receiving the boy at the Government House on Tuesday, Governor Sani, said the child and other repatriated children will be given free education under the Tsangaya education system in Kaduna State.
According to the Governor, “I was disturbed when I saw on social media how the boy was tortured and dehumanised by his Malam. The Malam was wrong to have given the boy this type of punishment.
“Kaduna State government will not tolerate abuse of children under whatever guise. Therefore, we will press charges against the Malam that dehumanized the this young innocent boy, because it is against the law to torture children in the name of giving them Islamic education.
“We have brought back all the children from Niger state. We have a better Tsangaya system in Kaduna State where we will give them Islamic and formal education
“There is no where in the Quran that says underage children have to be taken away from their parental care before they get Islamic education. We don’t want to see children roam the streets begging,” the Governor said.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Human Services and Social Development, Hajia Rabi Salisu said, after his repatriation, Isah was treated at the state government hospital and given psychosocial evaluation.