Two Men Sentenced to Death Over Murder of Kano Mother and Her Six Children

A Kano State High Court has sentenced two men to death by hanging for the murder of a woman, Fatima Abubakar, and her six children in a shocking attack that occurred in Dorayi Chiranci, Kano State.

The convicts, Umar Auwalu, popularly known as Breaker, and Yakubu Dayyabu, also known as Wawo, were found guilty of seven counts of culpable homicide by Justice Nasiru Saminu of High Court No. 11, sitting in Bompai.

The judgment was delivered on Friday, November 6, 2026, following their involvement in the killing of the seven family members on January 17, 2026.

Apart from the death sentences, the court also imposed life imprisonment with hard labour on both men for armed robbery.

However, the third defendant, Isiyaku Abdul'azeez, popularly known as Chebe, was discharged and acquitted after the prosecution failed to provide sufficient evidence linking him to the murder and conspiracy charges.

Reacting to the judgment, Kano State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Abdulkarim Kabir Maude, described the killings as a tragic event that would remain in the state's history.

Maude, who led the prosecution, explained that the court considered evidence from eight prosecution witnesses and 30 exhibits before reaching its decision.

He praised the judgment and assured that the state government would take necessary steps to ensure the implementation of the death sentences if the convicts failed to appeal within the legally prescribed period.

The Attorney General also commended the police for their investigation and the Ministry of Justice for its role in prosecuting the case.

He further revealed that although the third defendant was acquitted in the present case, he was still facing two other criminal cases awaiting judgment.

During the proceedings, Justice Saminu expressed strong condemnation of the crime, describing the killings as extremely grave and deserving of the severest punishment available under the law.

The attack occurred at the family's residence in Dorayi Chiranci on January 17, 2026, claiming the lives of Fatima and her six children. Her husband, Haruna Bashir, survived the incident.

The prosecution was handled by Abdulkarim Kabir Maude and Barrister Salisu Muhammad Tahir, while Barristers J.I. Musa and A.I. Baba represented the defendants.