Chaos broke out at Government Secondary School, Bichi, Kano State, after two students were killed and two others severely injured in a disturbing case of peer violence allegedly linked to accusations of “unnatural offences.” The violent attack, which occurred late on Sunday, July 14, has left the school community and the state reeling in shock.
According to the Kano State Police Command, the school principal, Yusuf Ado Yakasai, reported the incident around 11:30 p.m. on Monday, July 15. A group of senior students reportedly lured four juniors—Hamza Idris (19, SS3B), Umar Yusuf (18, SS2C), Ibrahim Ibrahim (SS2B), and Aliyu M. Nasir (SS2C)—into a hostel room under false pretenses, where they were violently assaulted.
Hamza Idris and Umar Yusuf were confirmed dead on arrival at Bichi General Hospital. The other two students are currently undergoing treatment and are said to be responding positively, though they remain under medical observation.
Twelve SS3 students have been arrested in connection with the attack. They include Suleman Abdullahi, Ahmad Sanusi, Lawan Alasan Tambai, Aliyu Idris, Abubakar Abdulaziz (SS3A); Ibrahim Nura, Hamza Isiyaku (SS3B); Usaini Mamuda, Masaudu Idris, Yasir Murtala (SS3C); and Abubakar Muhammad (SS3D). The police have confirmed that all suspects are in custody and facing preliminary interrogation.
Security analyst Zagazola Makama, who broke the story on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), described the attack as a “shocking case of moral panic turned mob violence” and called for urgent reform in school hostel security policies and student supervision.
Spokesman for the Kano State Police Command, SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, confirmed ongoing investigations and promised that those found culpable will be prosecuted under applicable sections of the Nigerian Penal Code. He assured that justice would be served for the victims and their families.
Human rights advocates and education reformers have condemned the killings, demanding immediate intervention by the Kano State Ministry of Education and a comprehensive safety audit of all boarding schools in the state. The tragic incident has also sparked renewed debate on the toxic culture of peer abuse, silence, and mob mentality in Nigerian boarding schools.
