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Residents of Dorayi Chiranchi Quarters in Kano metropolis, where a woman and her six children were killed on Friday, yesterday recounted how the incident happened.
This is even as the husband of the woman and father of the children said the incident had shattered his life.
Fatima Abubakar, 35, and her children: Maimuna (17), Aisha (16), Bashir (13), Abubakar (10), Faruk (7) and Abdussalam (one-and-a-half years old), were reportedly murdered by assailants who broke into their residence at Dorayi Gidan Kwari.
The state police command has arrested three suspects, including Fatima’s nephew, Umar Auwalu, who was said to have confessed to the crime.
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Neighbours, who spoke to Daily Trust yesterday, described the attack as brazen and shocking.
One of them, Aminu Hamza, an immediate neighbour, said the suspects locked the house before killing the victims and attempted to set their bodies ablaze.
“After hearing the victims’ cries, neighbours broke into the house, but the attackers had fled. This is something we had never witnessed before. The brutality is beyond comprehension,” said Hamza.
He added that the suspects participated in the funeral, “deceiving mourners until their eventual arrest.”
Another resident, Kabiru Ibrahim, said Fatima’s skull was smashed with a sewing machine.
“Contrary to reports, they were not slaughtered but hit on their heads with heavy metals. It was brutal,” he said.
Residents also revealed that Fatima had called her siblings moments before the attack, pleading for help.
Her phones were said to have been found later with Umar.
Residents also alleged that the attack stemmed from a family inheritance dispute. This could not be independently verified by the Daily Trust.
Another resident, Munif Yahaya Satatima, who helped in the arrest of one of the suspects, said Umar had confessed to killing two housewives in the Tudun Yola area of Kano in a similar manner in the past.
“The Tudun Yola victims were also his relatives. He killed them and set their house ablaze. This time, he killed seven because he was not arrested after the first incident,” Satatima alleged.
I’m heartbroken – Husband, father of slain family
Speaking to Daily Trust yesterday, Bashir said the killing of his wife and the six children had shattered his life.
He described the incident as a wound that would never heal.
He said he was at a market when he received a call informing him of the tragedy.
“When I came back, I saw all of them brutally killed with axe and heavy metal objects like a sewing machine,” he said.
“Their corpses were taken to Murtala Muhammad Specialists Hospital where doctors confirmed them dead. As a Muslim, I believe Allah tests His servants. May Allah reunite us in paradise,” he added.
“Allah created us from nothing, and now He has decided to take them all. May Allah grant them paradise,” Bashir said, weeping.
Relatives told our correspondent that Bashir had been inconsolable since the incident, unable to eat and sleep.
Late Fatima’s nephew, 2 other suspects arrested
The Kano State Police Command said three suspects were arrested during a sting operation between 10:00 p.m. on January 17 and 4:00 a.m. on January 18, 2026.
Those arrested included Umar Auwalu, 23, of Sabuwar Gandu Quarters; Isyaku Yakubu (Chebe), 40, of Sagagi Quarters; and Yakubu Abdulaziz (Wawo), 21, of Sabon Gida Sharada Quarters.
The olice Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, said the arrests followed an intelligence-led operation carried out on the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
He said items recovered included bloodstained clothes, two mobile phones belonging to the deceased, a cutlass, a club, cash and other weapons believed to have been used in the attack.
He said preliminary investigation revealed that Umar Auwalu, who was described as the leader of the group and a nephew to the deceased woman, confessed to his involvement in the crime.
He said Umar also admitted that the syndicate had been involved in other violent attacks in the state.
Kiyawa said investigation into the incident was ongoing, adding that the suspects would be charged to court upon completion of the investigation.
The command commended the officers involved in the operation and appreciated members of the public for their support and cooperation.
It assured residents of its commitment to ensuring the safety of lives and property across the state.
Governor Yusuf, Atiku, Barau, others condemn attack
Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf expressed deep sorrow over the killing, describing it as barbaric and unacceptable.
The governor, in a statement issued by his spokesperson, Sunusi Tofa, condemned the attack and directed security agencies to immediately apprehend those responsible for the dastardly act.
“The killing of a mother and her innocent children is barbaric, senseless and a grave assault on our shared humanity,” the governor said.
He extended his condolences to the bereaved family, residents of Dorayi Chiranchi and the people of Kano State, praying for the repose of the souls of the deceased and for strength for their loved ones.
Yusuf vowed that his administration would not allow the crime to go unpunished, insisting that justice must be served.
“We will ensure that the perpetrators are hunted down, arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” he added.
The governor ordered the Kano State Police Command to launch an immediate manhunt for the suspects and directed the Kano State Neighbourhood Corps to intensify patrols and community surveillance, particularly in vulnerable areas.
He also urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies by promptly reporting suspicious activities, assuring them of the government’s commitment to protecting lives and property across the state.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, in a statement posted on his social media platforms on Sunday, expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and questioned the effectiveness of security agencies.
“I am heartbroken by the gruesome killing of a mother and her six children in Dorayi Chiranchi, Kano. This senseless violence against innocent Nigerians is unacceptable. My thoughts and prayers are with the grieving family and community,” Atiku wrote.
He further criticised the security response, saying: “It is either the so-called marching orders to the security agencies are not being actioned or it is merely political talk.
“Security agencies are charged to swiftly bring the perpetrators to justice and take decisive actions to protect every Nigerian from such brutality. We must end the culture of violence and ensure safety for all.”
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, in a statement by his spokesperson, Ismail Mudashir, called for a speedy trial of the suspects.
Barau said: “I commend the command for its swiftness. This is the first leg; the command should conduct a thorough investigation and ensure a speedy trial so that these ‘killers’ are prosecuted and brought to book.
“They must face the full wrath of the law. We will follow this to its logical conclusion. Over the past hours, I have been traumatised, devastated and overwhelmed by the gruesome murder of these innocent children and their mother. This is barbaric and beyond comprehension.
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“May Almighty Allah grant the victims Aljannatul Firdaus and give the husband/father of the children, Haruna Bashir, the strength to bear this,” he said.
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