Kano Massacre: Father of prime suspect calls for swift punishment

Kano Massacre and the Father’s Call for Swift Justice

The Kano metropolis was thrown into mourning following the gruesome killing of seven members of a family in the Dorayi Chiranchi area.

The tragedy, which has sparked outrage across Nigeria, involved the murder of Fatima Abubakar, a 35-year-old woman, and her six children, allegedly at the hands of her nephew, Umar Auwal.

The victims, Maimuna (17), Aisha (16), Bashir (13), Abubakar (10), Faruk (7), and Abdussalam, aged one and a half years, were attacked in broad daylight at their residence in Dorayi Gidan Kwari.

The prime suspect, Umar, is currently in police custody and is accused of using dangerous weapons to carry out the killings. Police sources further allege that he confessed to involvement in an earlier attack in Tudun Yola, where two housewives were murdered and a house was set ablaze.

In a shocking twist, Umar’s father, Malam Auwal, publicly distanced himself from his son during a radio interview in Kano. He described Umar as a danger to society and insisted that justice must be swift.

Malam Auwal revealed that the suspect had previously killed another family member years ago, accusing him of extreme brutality. He declared that neither he nor Umar’s mother would attend court proceedings, emphasizing that his son’s actions were unforgivable and that taxpayers’ money should not be wasted on keeping him alive.

The incident has drawn national attention, with President Bola Tinubu condemning the killings as barbaric and deeply troubling. In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President commended the police for their swift arrest of the suspect and ordered a thorough investigation and diligent prosecution. He extended condolences to the bereaved family and the people of Kano State.

The Kano State Government has also stepped in, announcing that it has taken over the prosecution of the suspects. The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Abdulkarim Maude, SAN, described the killings as a grave assault on humanity and assured residents that due process would be strictly followed. He emphasized that justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done, commending the police for their professional response.

Political figures have also reacted to the tragedy. Former Anambra State governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, described the massacre as a devastating tragedy that has plunged the nation into mourning. He praised the police for their swift action, noting that intelligence-driven policing could help restore public confidence and reduce crime across communities.

The Kano massacre remains one of the most shocking incidents in recent memory, not only for the scale of the killings but also for the rare public denunciation by the father of the prime suspect. His call for immediate punishment underscores the gravity of the crime and the urgent demand for justice from both the victims’ family and the wider Nigerian society.