By Musa Ubandawaki, Sokoto

SOKOTO:-Tension and grief gripped the Minanata community in Sokoto South Local Government Area on Wednesday as residents, civil society actors, and concerned stakeholders gathered at a joint news conference to demand justice over the gruesome killing of a 15-year-old volunteer secondary school teacher, Malam Usman Halilu.

The conference, jointly organized by the Minanata Community and the Minanata Future Association, condemned the killing in the strongest terms, describing it as a “barbaric and senseless act” that has shaken the conscience of the community and exposed growing concerns over safety.

Speaking at the briefing, a PhD student of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS), Maccido Mohammad, alleged that the prime suspect, Mansur Arzika, had been nursing a long-standing grudge against the deceased.

According to him, the conflict stemmed from an earlier incident in which the late Halilu reportedly identified Arzika as an individual who had sneaked into a neighbour’s shop and stolen a handset.

“Malam Usman Halilu paid the ultimate price for standing on the side of truth,” Maccido stated. “The suspect harboured resentment and waited for an opportunity to carry out this heinous act.”

He narrated that on the fateful day, after closing his shop, the deceased was heading home, unaware that he was being trailed by the suspect, who was allegedly armed with a knife and intent on carrying out an attack.

“In a shocking turn of events, the suspect reportedly caught up with him and stabbed him,” he said. “Even as the victim tried to escape and cried out for help, pleading with passersby to rush him to the hospital, the attacker pursued him and inflicted multiple stab wounds.”

The incident, Maccido noted, has left the community devastated and raised urgent questions about security and justice.

He called on the Sokoto State Government and relevant security agencies to ensure that the suspect is brought to justice without delay.

“We demand accountability. This must not be swept under the carpet. Justice must be served to deter future occurrences,” he stressed.

Maccido further revealed that until his death, the late Halilu was a dedicated volunteer teacher who contributed selflessly to the education sector, teaching at GDSS Minanata and Dallatu Model Primary School within the Sokoto metropolis.

“Despite his young age, he was committed to shaping the future of younger students. His death is not just a loss to his family, but to the entire community,” he added.

He also lamented that the deceased left behind a wife and children, describing the tragedy as a “painful and irreparable loss” to his dependents.

Also speaking, legal practitioner Barrister Ibrahim Muhammad of I.M. Jariri and Co. Chambers pledged to pursue the case to its logical conclusion.

“We will not rest until justice takes its full course,” the lawyer declared.

“This is a clear case of criminality, and we are committed to ensuring that the law holds the perpetrator accountable.”

The organizers of the conference reiterated their collective resolve to follow up on the matter, urging authorities to act decisively and transparently.

They warned that failure to ensure justice could erode public trust and embolden criminal elements within the society.

As the community mourns, calls for justice continue to grow louder, with many insisting that the killing of Malam Usman Halilu must mark a turning point in addressing violence and impunity at the grassroots level.