Brutal flogging: Kwara suspends head of Islamic school, orders probe

The Kwara state government has suspended the head of Musbaudeen Al Islamy Arabic School, Ganmo in Ifelodun LGA over the brutal flogging of some of its students.

Sa’adatu Modibbo Kawu, the state commissioner for education and human capital development, broke the news in a statement on Sunday.

According to Kawu, the government has also directed an investigation into the matter, adding that the suspension of the school’s head would hold until the probe is completed.

The commissioner said the government frowns at the treatment of the students, regardless of the explanations given by the school authority.

Kawu also said the government has taken the affected students to the hospital to ensure that they are properly treated.

“The government’s team carefully listened to the authorities of the Arabic school, the father of the sole girl in the video, and four other students involved in the unsavoury development,” it read.

“Regardless of the explanations of the authorities on the development, the self-confessed consent of the parents and regret of the affected students, the government seriously frowns at the harsh beating seen in the footage.

“Consequently, the government has directed the setting up of an investigative committee, comprising Muslim scholars, leaders and government officials, to look into the issue while the head of the Arabic school, who admitted to directing the punishment, has been asked to step aside pending the conclusion of the investigation.

“The government has also taken the affected students to a public hospital for proper medical examination and treatment. This is to ensure that none of them suffers any physical or psychological damage.”

The commissioner called on the public to remain calm until the committee constituted to look into the matter submits its report for further action.

“The government appeals for calm while the committee does it works and submits a report for further action,” it added.

“The government commends the Ganmo Muslim community for the support given to the team.”

The Islamic school had earlier justified the brutal flogging of the students while adding that their actions were un-Islamic.