Father of Kano Murder Suspect Calls for Son’s Execution

The father of the prime suspect arrested over the gruesome killing of seven family members in Kano has demanded that his son be punished without delay, insisting that he does not deserve mercy.

The suspect, Umar Auwal, is accused of leading the attack that claimed the lives of his aunt, Fatima Abubakar, 35, and her six children at their residence in Dorayi Gidan Kwari, within the Kano metropolis. The incident, which occurred on Saturday in Dorayi Chiranchi area, has sparked widespread outrage across the state and the country.

Speaking during a radio interview, Umar’s father, Malam Auwal, publicly disowned his son and urged authorities to ensure his execution rather than imprisonment.

“What he committed against my younger sister and her six children, my wife’s younger sister and her co-wife is condemnable. I distance myself from him,” he said.

Describing Umar as “useless to society,” Malam Auwal added, “I don’t even want them to waste time on prosecution. Umar and his likes are supposed to be eliminated. They are not supposed to be remanded and fed with taxpayers’ money.”

He further alleged that Umar had previously killed his younger sister years ago, claiming the suspect also plucked out her eyes. The distraught father commended the police for their swift action and stated that neither he nor Umar’s mother would attend court proceedings, saying he had already “sacrificed” his son.

Police sources confirmed that Umar, who is currently in custody, confessed to killing his aunt and her six children in broad daylight. The victims were identified as Maimuna (17), Aisha (16), Bashir (13), Abubakar (10), Faruk (7), and Abdussalam (one-and-a-half years old). The police also linked the suspect to a recent attack in Tudun Yola, where two housewives were murdered and a house was set ablaze.

Reacting to the tragedy, President Bola Tinubu condemned the killings, describing them as barbaric. In a statement issued in Abuja by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President “commended the police for the swift arrest of the principal suspects and ordered the investigation and diligent prosecution of the suspects,” while condoling with the bereaved family.

The Kano State Government has also announced that it has taken over the prosecution of the suspects. The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Abdulkarim Maude, SAN, said the decision followed a directive by Governor Abba Yusuf to ensure justice.

“I am profoundly shocked and saddened by the tragic murder of a housewife and her six children at Dorayi Chiranchi Quarters, Kano. Such a heinous act is a grave affront to humanity and the rule of law,” Maude said.

“Under the directive of Governor Yusuf, my office has assumed responsibility for the prosecution of this case to ensure that justice is not only done but is seen to be done.”

He praised the Kano State Police Command for their “swift and professional response” and assured residents that accountability, transparency, and due process would be upheld throughout the investigation and trial.

Former Anambra State Governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, also described the killings as a devastating national tragedy. Commending the police, he said: “The horrifying murder of a housewife and her six children remains a deep and painful sorrow in our hearts as a nation.

“I commend the Nigerian Police for their swift and decisive action in apprehending the perpetrators of this heinous crime.”

Obi added that consistent, intelligence-driven policing would help reduce crime and rebuild public trust, stressing that Nigeria’s security challenges are not insurmountable.

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