President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday mourned Hanifa Abubakar, a five-year old pupil abducted and eventually killed by her teacher in Kano State.
In a statement by his spokesman, Garba Shehu, Mr Buhari urged the relevant bodies to ensure justice is served in the murder of Hanifah.
He specifically ordered the police and the Ministry of Justice to uphold the integrity of the detective work that busted the case by preparing well and presenting a good case that will earn the respect of the court.
According to the statement, Mr Buhari expressed the nation’s condolences to the family of the schoolgirl.
“President Buhari, however, commended the police and the secret service for unravelling the mystery behind the disappearance of Hanifa, and particularly for the arrest of her teacher and his accomplices suspected of the child’s kidnap and murder,” the statement said.
Mr Buhari, in the statement, noted that “the family and the whole nation which followed up on Hanifa’s travail every day since her disappearance were hoping for the girl to have returned home alive and well.
“The President stated that the thorough and painstaking detective operation by the law enforcement bodies, leading to the discovery of her remains and the arrest of the suspects who have already made confessions, was commendable.
“He described it as an achievement that should instill more public confidence in the authorities, adding, “when breakthroughs like this happen, people will talk differently of law enforcement.”
“President Buhari prayed for the repose of the soul of the little schoolgirl and urged her parents to bear the sad loss with courage and fortitude in God,” the statement added.