Court sentences two to death for murder of Kano housewife, six children

From Desmond Mgboh, Kano

A Kano State High Court presided by Justice Nasiru Saminu, has sentenced two persons to death for the murder of a 35-year-old housewife, Fatima Abubakar, and her six children.

The convicts, Umar Auwalu of Sabuwar Gandu Quarters, and Yakubu Daiyebu of Sabon Gida, Sharada Quarters, are to die by hanging.

The tragic incident occurred on January 17, 2026, at Dorayi Chiranchi quarters in the state capital.

The judge, in his judgement on Friday, held that the killing was one of the most horrifying crimes in the history of criminal justice in the state, noting that relatives, who ought to have protected the victims, murdered them.

The court heard that the deceased willingly opened the door for the first convict when he arrived with his accomplice, unaware of their intention to attack the family.

The judge said the deceased was not only a victim, but also a mother, whose life was intertwined with the hopes, welfare and future of her children.

He expressed sympathy to the surviving family members, particularly Haruna Bashir, the husband of the deceased and father of the six children, lamenting that no judicial pronouncement could restore the deceased or adequately compensate the family over the loss.

The two convicts were found guilty of culpable homicide punishable with death under Section 221 of the Penal Code for the killing of the seven persons.

Meanwhile, the third defendant, Isyaku Yakubu, 40, was earlier discharged and acquitted by the court. During the court trial, the first defendant had pleaded guilty and asked for leniency, while the second defendant pleaded not guilty.