Vocational School Principal in South Nias Becomes Suspect of Torturing Students to Death

The principal of a vocational school in South Nias has been named a suspect in the abuse that caused his student to die.

DOKUMENTASI POLRES NIAS SELATAN

The head of SMK Sidua'ori in South Nias Regency, North Sumatra, Safrin Zebua (right), has been named a suspect in a case of fatal assault on Thursday (25/4/2024).

NIAS SELATAN, KOMPAS — Head of Sidua'ori Vocational School, South Nias Regency, North Sumatra, Safrin Zebua (37), was appointed as suspect in the case of mistreatment which caused his student to die. He punished his student, Yaredi Ndruru (17), by hitting him on the forehead. The blow is thought to have caused bleeding in the head and Yaredi died.

"Based on sufficient evidence presented during the case hearing, the Criminal Investigation Unit of South Nias Police has declared the Head of Sidua'ori Vocational High School a suspect," said the Chief of South Nias Police Resort, Chief Commissioner Boney Wahyu Wicaksono on Thursday (25/4/2024).

"The police have named SZ as a suspect and the investigation process is still ongoing. "We are patient, everything is still a process," said Boney.

DOKUMENTASI SEKHEZATULO NDRURU

Yaredi Ndruru (17), a student from South Nias, was hospitalized and eventually died after being punished by the school principal, who hit him on the head.

Boney explained that based on the results of an investigation conducted by the South Nias Police Resort, the case originated from acts of violence committed by Safrin against several of his students, including Yaredi, on Saturday, March 16, 2024.

He gave the punishment because he received reports that some of his students were difficult to command during field work practice at the Sidua'ori Subdistrict Office. "The victim and six other students were lined up by the principal. "The victim was hit five times in the head," said Boney.

Also read: Allegedly assaulted by school principal, body of vocational school student in South Nias to be autopsied

After returning home, Yaredi did not immediately tell his parents about the incident. The victim only complained of a headache to his mother who had just returned from the field. The mother then gave him pain relievers.

A week later, Yaredi's headache had not improved and had gotten worse. Yaredi then asked for permission to stay home from school due to the unbearable pain in his head. He then experienced a high fever on Friday (29/3/2024).

After a high fever, Yaredi confessed to his parents that he was beaten by his school principal. His mother then asked Yaredi's friends, who also revealed that they had been punished by the principal a week before. As his condition worsened, Yaredi was eventually taken to Dr. Thomsen Regional General Hospital in Gunung Sitoli, North Sumatra on Tuesday (9/4/2024).

Despite receiving treatment at the hospital, Yaredi's condition did not improve. Results from a head X-ray and physical examination by doctors indicate that there is an indication of bleeding or clotting in Yaredi's head. Yaredi's life could not be saved and he ultimately passed away on Monday (15/4/2024).

Also read: Parents demand justice for their child who was allegedly beaten to death by a school principal in Nias

Before Yaredi passed away, his family had already reported the case of assault to the South Nias Police. "Subsequently, the South Nias Police will complete the investigation file and coordinate with the prosecutor's office for clarity of this case," said Boney.

Sökhizatulö Ndruru (40), the father of Yaredi, expressed his gratitude for the legal process regarding his son's death. "We only want the legal process to continue. We are very saddened by the loss of our beloved child," he said.

Sökhizatulö said that the family had not received official notification regarding the suspect's identification. The family has also not been notified of the results of Yaredi's autopsy. The family is based on an examination at the hospital which stated that Yaredi had suffered bleeding and blood clots after being hit by the principal on the forehead.

According to Sökhizatulö, his child and other students were punished by the school principal for being difficult to instruct during their field work at the sub-district office. They were instructed by the sub-district's deputy to move the generator set.

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We just want the legal process to continue. We are very sad to lose our beloved child.

At first, the students did not want to move the item because it was very heavy. However, they eventually moved the generator. After the incident, according to Sökhizatulö, the district head complained to the school principal.

Based on the testimony of his school friend, Sökhizatulö mentioned that Yaredi was hit very hard by the school principal. The principal was said to have hit Yaredi first before hitting other students. "We just want to demand justice for the death of our child," he said.