Kano State was plunged into mourning following the gruesome murder of a housewife, Fatima Abubakar, 35, and her six children in their residence at Dorayi Chiranchi Quarters. The tragic incident, which occurred around 12:10 p.m. on Saturday, January 17, 2026, involved unknown assailants breaking into their home and attacking them with dangerous weapons, inflicting fatal injuries on all seven family members. The victims were identified as Maimuna, 17; Aisha, 16; Bashir, 13; Abubakar, 10; Faruk, 7; and Abdulsalam, who was barely one and a half years old.

Upon receiving a distress call shortly after the attack, the Kano State Police Command swiftly deployed operatives to the scene. The Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Bakori, immediately mobilized a police team led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, Lawal Isah-Mani. The victims were evacuated and rushed to Murtala Mohammed Specialist Hospital, Kano, where they were tragically pronounced dead by medical personnel. CP Bakori ordered an intensive investigation into the killings, directing the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to thoroughly unravel the circumstances surrounding the heinous attack and bring the perpetrators to justice.

Leveraging intelligence-led policing under the directives of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD, NPM, the Kano State Police Command successfully apprehended three principal suspects behind the brutal murders. The suspects, identified as Umar Auwalu, 23, of Sabuwar Gandu Quarters Kano; Isyaku Yakubu, alias 'Chebe', 40, of Sagagi Quarters Kano; and Yakubu Abdulaziz, alias 'Wawo', 21, of Sabon Gida Sharada Quarters Kano, were arrested during a meticulous seven-hour sting operation that lasted from 10 p.m. on January 17, 2026, to 4 a.m. on January 18, 2026.

The leader of the syndicate, Umar Auwalu, shockingly confessed to the crime and was revealed to be a nephew to the deceased housewife. He further admitted that the same criminal group had carried out a series of gruesome killings and attacks in the recent past, including the killing and burning of two other housewives at Tudun Yola Quarters Kano. Recoveries from the suspects included four bloodstained clothes, the deceased's two mobile phones, stolen money, a cutlass, a club (Gora), and other dangerous weapons used in the attack.

Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, lauded the Kano State Police Command for their swift arrest of the suspected killers. In a statement, the Governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, conveyed Governor Yusuf's commendation, describing the prompt response as a clear demonstration of professionalism, courage, and unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives and property. He acknowledged the deep sadness the incident brought but noted that the speedy tracking and arrest of the suspects had significantly helped in restoring public confidence in the security agencies.

Governor Yusuf specifically commended the Commissioner of Police and all officers involved for deploying intelligence-led strategies that led to the breakthrough, emphasizing that such diligence must be sustained to deter future criminal activities. He reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to providing the police and other security agencies with the necessary logistics and cooperation to ensure criminals have no sanctuary in the state. Furthermore, the Governor urged residents to continue assisting security agencies with timely and credible information, highlighting community collaboration as critical for maintaining peace and security. He also directed that the suspects be thoroughly investigated and diligently prosecuted to ensure justice for the victims and to serve as a strong deterrent to others.

The Kano State Police Command expressed its sincere condolences to the immediate family of the deceased, the residents of Dorayi Chiranchi Quarters, and the entire people of Kano State. The command also commended the efforts of the police officers involved in the operation and thanked members of the public for their prayers, support, encouragement, and cooperation, assuring the public of its steadfast commitment to bringing all perpetrators of crimes to justice.