A heartbreaking tragedy has rocked the Gwammaja area of Kano City following the death of two Almajiri boys, Abdullahi (12) and Aminu (14), who died after reportedly consuming a suspected poisoned substance thrown over a fence into their Qur’anic school compound. Four other boys who also ingested the same mixture are currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital, battling for their lives.
The incident, which occurred on Wednesday, June 19, 2025, took a fatal turn by Friday when the two boys succumbed to the mysterious substance. According to their Qur’anic teacher, Malam Nafiu, the unidentified person threw a white powdered substance—believed to be tea creamer—over the fence. The children, mistaking it for milk, mixed it into their morning tea and drank it, triggering sudden illness shortly after.
Abdullahi and Aminu, originally from Dandume Local Government Area of Katsina State, had only recently arrived in Kano to pursue Islamic education. Their deaths have sparked outrage and grief across both Kano and Katsina States, with the community calling for swift justice and heightened child protection. Witnesses revealed that foam was seen around the deceased boys’ mouths, further deepening suspicion that they were poisoned.
Police operatives have launched a full-scale investigation into the case, confirming that the suspicious substance has been taken into custody for toxicological analysis. Officers are also interrogating the surviving children, who remain under medical care but are reportedly stable. Despite multiple attempts, the Kano State Police Command is yet to issue an official statement, as calls to the spokesperson, SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, went unanswered.
The children’s parents have been notified and are reportedly en route from Katsina to Kano to claim the bodies for burial. Their teacher, visibly shaken, told reporters that this was unlike anything he had witnessed in over a decade of mentoring students. “We’ve always lived peacefully here. Whoever did this must be brought to justice,” he said.
Tahir Majid, a community elder in Gwammaja, expressed sorrow over the attack, saying the neighborhood is still in shock. “These boys were innocent, just seeking knowledge. This act is pure evil, and we demand a thorough investigation. The government cannot stay silent. We want answers,” he said, echoing a growing call for accountability.
As at press time, the bodies remained at their teacher’s compound pending police clearance for burial. The case has ignited a broader national conversation around the vulnerability of Almajiri children, their welfare, and the urgency for concrete policy protections. The next few days will be critical as investigators race to identify the unknown perpetrator behind this heinous act.
