Tension and grief have enveloped the Minanata community in Sokoto South Local Government Area of Sokoto State following the killing of a 15-year-old volunteer teacher, Malam Usman Halilu.
Residents, civil society organisations and other stakeholders voiced their anger on Wednesday during a joint press briefing organised by the Minanata Community and the Minanata Future Association, where they condemned the killing and demanded swift justice.
The groups described the incident as a senseless act and urged relevant authorities to ensure that those responsible are identified and prosecuted without delay.
A postgraduate student of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Maccido Mohammad, alleged that the prime suspect, identified as Mansur Arzika, had previously clashed with the deceased over a theft-related matter in which Halilu reportedly identified him.
He stated that the teenager was attacked while returning home, alleging that the suspect stabbed him repeatedly despite attempts by the victim to escape.
The development has heightened concerns over safety in the area, with stakeholders calling on the Sokoto State Government and security agencies to launch a thorough investigation into the killing.
A legal practitioner, Ibrahim Muhammad, also pledged to pursue the case to ensure justice is served.
The late Halilu was described by residents as a committed volunteer teacher who dedicated his time to educating younger pupils within the Sokoto metropolis.
Community members lamented that his death has created a vacuum, warning that failure to bring the perpetrators to book could erode public trust and embolden criminal elements.