In a move aimed at restoring public trust, the Kano State Government on Monday assumed responsibility for the prosecution of suspects arrested over the brutal killing of a woman and her six children in the state.
The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Abdulkarim Kabiru Maude, SAN, disclosed this during a press briefing, stating that the decision followed a directive from Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.
The victims, identified as Fatima Abubakar, a housewife, and her six children, were gruesomely murdered in the early hours of Saturday at their residence in Dorayi Chiranci Quarters, Kano. One of the children was reportedly thrown into a dry well.
Following investigations, the Kano State Police Command arrested three suspects in connection with the crime, including a cousin of the deceased woman.
Maude explained that the state government took over the case due to the severity of the incident and the need for decisive legal action and a transparent judicial process. He described the killings as a senseless and inhumane act that plunged the state into mourning, assuring that the Yusuf-led administration would ensure justice is served.
According to him, the murder constitutes a grave offence against humanity and the rule of law. He also commended the police for their swift intervention, noting that their timely response was crucial to the arrest of the suspects and the ongoing pursuit of justice.
The Attorney General further assured residents that the government would ensure accountability, transparency and strict adherence to due process throughout the investigation and prosecution, urging the public to remain calm, vigilant and law-abiding despite the grief and anger caused by the tragedy.
Meanwhile, Governor Yusuf praised the Kano State Police Command for its prompt and professional handling of the case, describing their actions as a demonstration of commitment to safeguarding lives and property in the state.
In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin-Tofa, the governor said the horrific incident deeply saddened the state, adding that the swift arrest of the suspects had helped restore public confidence. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting security agencies to ensure criminals find no safe haven in Kano.
Similarly, the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, commended the police for the timely arrest of the suspects and called for a thorough investigation and speedy prosecution.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Malam Ismail Mudashir, Senator Barau described the development as relieving news, stressing that the suspects must face the full weight of the law.
“This is just the first step. A comprehensive investigation and speedy trial are essential to ensure these killers are brought to justice. The murder of these innocent children and their mother is barbaric, heartbreaking and beyond comprehension,” he said.
