In a shocking and tragic incident that rocked the Dorayi Charanchi Quarters of Kano metropolis, a housewife, Fatima Abubakar, aged 35, and her six children were brutally murdered on Saturday, January 17, 2025. The assailants reportedly stormed the residence of Haruna Bashir at approximately 12:10 p.m., inflicting fatal injuries with dangerous weapons. Neighbours discovered the lifeless bodies, triggering widespread panic and grief within the community. The victims were subsequently evacuated and transported to the Murtala Mohammed Specialist Hospital in Kano, where medical personnel officially confirmed their deaths.

Following the harrowing discovery, the Kano State Police Command promptly launched a comprehensive investigation. Upon receiving a distress call at about 12:10 p.m. on the day of the incident, the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, immediately deployed a tactical police team to the scene. This team, led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, DCP Lawal Isah Mani, began preliminary inquiries. Further directives from the Commissioner mandated an in-depth probe, spearheaded by the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Wada Jarma, with the explicit aim of ensuring the swift apprehension and prosecution of those responsible.

The intensive, intelligence-led operation, carried out under the direct orders of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and supervised by CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, swiftly led to significant breakthroughs. On Sunday, January 18, 2025, the Kano State Police Command announced the arrest of three principal suspects connected to the killings. The arrests were made during a targeted sting operation conducted between 10:00 p.m. on January 17 and 4:00 a.m. on January 18.

The apprehended suspects were identified as Umar Auwalu, 23, from Sabuwar Gandu Quarters; Isyaku Yakubu, also known as 'Chebe,' 40, from Sagagi Quarters; and Yakubu Abdulaziz, also known as 'Wawo,' 21, from Sabon Gida Sharada Quarters. Preliminary investigations revealed a crucial detail: Umar Auwalu, who is believed to be the leader of the syndicate, is also a nephew to the deceased woman. Auwalu reportedly confessed to his involvement in the gruesome crime and further admitted that his group has been responsible for a series of other violent attacks and gruesome killings in the state, including the murder and burning of two housewives at Tudun Yola Quarters in November of the preceding year.

During the arrests, law enforcement officers recovered several items linking the suspects to the crime scene. These included bloodstained clothes, two mobile phones belonging to the deceased victims, a cutlass and a club believed to have been used in the fatal assault, an undisclosed amount of stolen cash, and other miscellaneous weapons.

Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, expressed profound sorrow and condemnation over the barbaric and senseless act, describing it as a grave assault on human dignity. Through his spokesperson, Sunusi Tofa, the Governor extended his heartfelt condolences to the victims' family, the people of Dorayi Chiranchi, and the entire Kano State. Governor Yusuf vowed that his administration would spare no effort in ensuring that the perpetrators of this tragic incident are brought to justice. He directed the Kano State Police Command to immediately hunt down, arrest, and prosecute the culprits, while also ordering the Kano Neighborhood Corps to intensify patrols and community surveillance across vulnerable areas to prevent any recurrence of such tragedies.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, confirmed the arrests and ongoing investigation. The command assured the public of its unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety of lives and property across the state and bringing all perpetrators of violent crimes to justice. The police also called upon residents to remain calm, cooperate with security agencies, and provide any vital information regarding the whereabouts of other assailants or suspicious activities, either by reporting to the nearest police station or contacting the command directly.