A 22-year-old primary school teacher in Kogi State has died following an alleged assault linked to the disciplining of a pupil, sparking outrage in her community and prompting a police investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death.
The deceased, Maryam Usman, who taught at Brains Minds Nursery and Primary School in Ugbamaka-Igah, Olamaboro Local Government Area, reportedly died on June 25 after spending days receiving treatment for injuries allegedly sustained in multiple attacks.
According to family members and community sources, the incident began on June 17 when Maryam reportedly disciplined a pupil for misconduct during school hours. In the course of the disciplinary action, the child allegedly fell and suffered an injury to the arm.
The development is said to have triggered a confrontation with the pupil’s father, identified as Ishaq Abdullahi, who allegedly visited the teacher’s residence later that day with two other individuals and assaulted her.
Sources further claimed that Maryam was attacked again while on her way to a mosque and subsequently suffered another assault the following day, leaving her unconscious and critically injured.
She was initially treated at a local clinic before being transferred to a hospital in Okpo, where her condition reportedly worsened until her death eight days later.
Speaking on the incident, a relative of the deceased said the family believes the repeated assaults contributed directly to her death and called for justice.
“We want a thorough investigation. Those responsible must be identified and prosecuted,” the family member said.
The incident has heightened tensions within the community, with reports indicating that some relatives of the deceased allegedly vandalised the residence of the pupil’s father following news of her death.
A community elder, Drisu, disclosed that both families were related and had engaged in several meetings aimed at resolving the dispute before the teacher’s condition deteriorated.
Confirming the incident, the Kogi State Police Command said investigations were underway.
Police spokesperson, ASP Saliu Oyiza Afusat, said preliminary findings showed that the teacher was allegedly assaulted after disciplining a pupil at the school.
“The victim sustained serious injuries and was initially treated at a hospital in Ugbamaka before being referred to Iko-Ojo Hospital, Okpo, for further medical attention. She, however, passed away on June 25, 2026,” Afusat said.
She added that police operatives had visited the scene and carried out preliminary documentation, while arrangements were being made to conduct an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.
According to the police, the suspects fled before officers arrived, but efforts are ongoing to apprehend them.
The command said the matter would be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department upon the arrest of the suspects for further investigation and possible prosecution.
The incident has renewed concerns over the safety of teachers and the growing trend of confrontations between parents and educators over disciplinary measures in schools.