The Kano State Police Command has made significant arrests in connection with the brutal murder of a housewife, Fatima Abubakar (35), and her six innocent children in Dorayi Chiranchi Quarters, also referred to as Dorayi Gidan Kwari, within the Kano metropolis. The horrific incident occurred on January 17, 2026, when the victims were reportedly attacked with dangerous weapons by hoodlums who broke into their residence. The children were identified as Maimuna (17), Aisha (16), Bashir (13), Abubakar (10), Faruk (7), and Abdussalam, who was barely one and a half years old.

Following a distress call and an urgent directive from the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, an intelligence-led operation was coordinated by the Commissioner of Police in Kano State, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori. This sting operation, conducted between 10:00 p.m. on January 17 and 4:00 a.m. on January 18, 2026, led to the apprehension of three principal suspects.

The arrested individuals were identified as Umar Auwalu (23), of Sabuwar Gandu Quarters, who is the deceased housewife's nephew and allegedly the leader of the syndicate; Isyaku Yakubu, also known as “Chebe” (40), of Sagagi Quarters; and Yakubu Abdulaziz, popularly called “Wawo” (21), of Sabon Gida Sharada Quarters. According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, Umar Auwalu confessed to his involvement in the family massacre and further disclosed that the group had allegedly carried out similar violent attacks in the past, including the killing and burning of two housewives in Tudun Yola Quarters, Kano.

Crucial evidence recovered from the suspects during their apprehension included blood-stained clothing, two mobile phones belonging to the deceased victims, a cutlass, a club locally known as gora, an undisclosed sum of money allegedly stolen from the crime scene, and other dangerous weapons. The Kano State Police Command has stated that investigations are ongoing to uncover the full extent of the suspects’ activities and to identify any possible accomplices involved in these heinous crimes.

The brutal act drew widespread condemnation from various quarters, including Hon. Nasir Bala Aminu Ja’oji, Senior Special Assistant to the President Citizenship and Leadership. In a statement on Sunday, Ja’oji described the incident as