The Kano State Police Command has arrested a 23-year-old man, identified as the nephew of a murdered housewife, as the alleged mastermind behind the killing of the woman and her six children in Kano.
The victims were discovered dead on Friday, January 17, 2026, at their residence in Dorayi Chiranchi Quarters, sparking widespread grief and outrage across the state.
According to police, the arrest followed an intelligence-led operation ordered by the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, which enabled officers to track down the suspects within 24 hours of the tragedy.
The prime suspect, Umar Auwalu of Sabuwar Gandu Quarters, was apprehended during a coordinated overnight operation conducted between late Saturday and early Sunday. Two other suspects were also arrested in connection with the case: Isyaku Yakubu, 40, also known as “Chebe,” from Sagagi Quarters, and Yakubu Abdulaziz, 21, popularly called “Wawo,” from Sabon Gida Sharada Quarters.
Police described Auwalu as a “family insider” and said investigations revealed he was closely related to the deceased. The Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, confirmed that Auwalu made confessional statements linking himself and his associates to the killings.
CSP Kiyawa further disclosed that the suspect admitted involvement in other violent crimes, including the killing of two women in Tudun Yola Quarters, Kano, an incident currently under investigation.
Items recovered from the suspects include blood-stained clothing, mobile phones belonging to the victims, weapons allegedly used in the attack, and cash reportedly taken from the household.
The Kano State Police Command commended its operatives for the swift response and thanked members of the public for providing intelligence that aided the arrests. The command assured residents that investigations are ongoing to determine the full extent of the suspects’ activities and identify any additional accomplices.
Police authorities reiterated their commitment to ensuring justice for the victims and urged residents to continue cooperating with law enforcement agencies in the fight against violent crime.
