By Sabiu Abdullahi
Mr Bassey Sardauna, a secondary school teacher at Government Model School, Jalingo, met a tragic end when he was fatally stabbed by a former student, who remains at large, on Thursday evening.
The incident was confirmed by the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abdullahi Usman.
According to Usman, the attack occurred in a tricycle following an earlier altercation between the teacher and his assailant, identified as James Williams.
The police are actively pursuing Williams, emphasizing their commitment to bringing him to justice.
In a statement condemning the attack, Dr Augustina Godwin, the state Commissioner for Education, shed light on the events leading to the tragedy.
The confrontation began when the former student, accompanied by a friend, walked through a line of students awaiting inspection.
An argument ensued after the deceased teacher questioned the behavior.
“The deceased asked why he walked through the students instead of passing behind them and while the former student made his way back to follow as the deceased teacher had directed, his friend asked why he should obey and do what the deceased said.
“From there commotion started and the deceased hit one of the two of them with a stick. The former student came to the school because he wanted one of his teachers to sign his Air Force application form, which his father made a call earlier asking for assistance for his son from one of the teachers.
“When the incident got to the knowledge of the school authority, they quickly called for the local vigilante in the area to keep watch over the school until closing time. The vigilante personnel left the school shortly before closing time. Some teachers decided to go with the deceased to take a tricycle the boys who were hiding attacked and stabbed him, leading to his death,” explained Commissioner Godwin.
Governor Agbu Kefas, responding to the incident, has directed a thorough investigation and increased security surveillance to prevent such tragedies in the future.
In a statement released by his Special Adviser on Media and Digital Communication, Mr Emmanuel Bello, the Governor expressed profound sadness and called for swift justice for the grieving family and the school community.