By Uzair Adam
Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) has arrested several individuals, including an Education Secretary, a School Headmaster, and three others, for allegedly dismantling and illegally selling school furniture and metals from a primary school in the Kumbotso local government area.
The arrests were made on Saturday after the suspects were reportedly caught in the act on the premises of Gaidar Makada Special Primary School.
According to the Senior Special Reporter to the Kano State Governor on Anti-Corruption, Malam Sani Umar Sani, local residents noticed unusual activity at the school early in the morning.
Upon investigation, they discovered that furniture was being dismantled and the metals were being removed and prepared for sale.
One resident, who lives nearby, reported seeing a man with several young boys heading toward the school’s classrooms.
After being questioned by the school security guard, they were allowed inside. Shortly thereafter, loud noises were heard, prompting further inspection, which revealed the dismantling operation.
Malam AbdulGafar Sanusi Garba, Chairman of the School-Based Management Committee (SBMC), and Malam Alkassim Muhammad, Chairman of the Parents Teachers Association (PTA), were informed of the incident.
Both stated they were unaware of the activity and claimed they had been dismissed from their roles by the headmaster, Malam Yusuf, before completing their tenure, without notification to the local government education secretary.
The suspects, including a buyer of the dismantled metals, were detained following the incident.
It was reported that the furniture, valued at over two million naira, was sold for just N250,000.
The anti-graft agency has launched a comprehensive investigation into the incident, with those arrested currently in custody.
A source within the commission suggested that this case might not be isolated, indicating a pattern of illegal dismantling and sale of school properties across the state.
In response, the agency is developing software to inventory school items and monitor any unauthorized alterations.