Authorities in Kaduna State have taken a couple into custody following the death of their teenage son in the Kurmin-Mashi area. The victim, identified as Sadiq, was roughly 12 to 14 years old. Reports suggest he died on Tuesday after his mother, Hauwa’u Adamu, and stepfather, Sharhabil, allegedly beat him.
The trouble reportedly started on Monday when the mother sent the boy to withdraw 5,000 Naira from a local PoS operator. After his return, allegations surfaced that two separate transactions had occurred despite the boy only bringing back the initial amount. His stepfather took him back to the operator, who confirmed the additional withdrawal.
The couple then allegedly punished the boy severely. Despite pleas from a neighbour and a local Islamic cleric to cease the violence, the couple reportedly continued the physical abuse. The boy was left in poor condition throughout the night and died the next morning.
Officers from the Kurmin-Mashi Division have moved the body to Yusuf Dantsoho Hospital for an autopsy. The parents remain in police custody while investigations proceed, though the state police command has not yet released an official statement.
