Nigeria: Over 60 Men and Boys Freed from Islamic ‘School’

Police rescued dozens of men and boys from an Islamic school operating under shocking conditions in northern Nigeria on Tuesday, 15 October.

Students complained of “inhuman and degrading treatments” which prompted authorities to visit the institution in Daura, Katsina state, on Monday, 14 October.

The religious school was run by a 78-year-old Muslim cleric, who instructed his teachers to abuse the 67 pupils – whose ages range from seven to 40 years old – often with chains, while denying them adequate treatment.

Katsina state police spokesman, Isah Gambo, said: “Some of them said [the students] were beaten almost every morning … they were not given food on time, the shelter was inadequate, and some said they were sexually abused.”

The school owner and his employees were arrested, and are in police custody.

The rescued victims are currently recovering in a nearby hospital, and are being questioned to determine where their families are.

Police rescued more than 300 boys and men from dehumanising conditions in a similar facility last month.

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