Kano: The violence within

Kano State is always in the news because of its prominent position in the country in both trade and population. It is also known for playing vibrant politics which often generates interest from within and outside the state. However, a disturbing trend is growing in the state; killings and not just killings, those committed by relatives against relatives. Indeed there has been a disturbing wave of domestic killings in the North-West state, casting a dark shadow over it.  Our correspondents have observed that incidents involving husbands and wives, alongside violent deaths among close family members continue to rise with alarming regularity.

What should be the safe space for individuals, the home, is increasingly becoming a theatre of fatal conflicts, leaving communities shocked and families permanently scarred.

From cases of spouses turning on each other after prolonged domestic disputes to siblings and relatives engaged in deadly confrontations over money, inheritance, or long-festering grievances, the pattern points to a deeper social malaise.

After being spared from the banditry that engulfed the Northwest zone for some years, the state began to experience its share of attacks late last year with renewed violence across seven Kano local government areas bordering Katsina State of Gari, Tsanyawa, Bagwai, Shanono, Gwarzo, Karaye and Rogo. But the question on the lips of many Nigerians at the moment is why Kano?

Family-related murder cases that shocked Kano in recent years

In recent years, Kano State has witnessed a disturbing rise in family-related killings, many of which captured public attention both within and outside the state.

The gruesome murder of Fatima Abubakar and her six children in Dorayi Chiranci in January 2026 remains the most devastating, but it is only one in a series of shocking incidents that underscore a troubling pattern of domestic violence, family disputes, and breakdown of trust within households.

These cases, aside having serious implications for security, social stability, and the protection of vulnerable groups, they also paint a disturbing pattern.

Two weeks ago, Kano was thrown into mourning when 35-year-old Fatima Abubakar and her six children were brutally murdered in their home at Dorayi Chiranci quarters within the metropolis. The victims included teenagers and a one-year-old baby.

Police arrested three suspects, including her nephew, Umar Auwalu, who confessed to the killings. The attack was described as a violent home invasion and drew condemnation nationwide.

Investigations later revealed that Umar was also the alleged mastermind behind at least two other killings with similar patterns, all linked to the same extended family. The case highlighted how family ties can tragically become the backdrop for violent crimes.

In November 2025, co‑wives were murdered and their bodies set ablaze inside their home. Police confirmed a manhunt was launched after the attack and investigations continued, with limited details initially released due to the sensitive nature of the probe.

Not long ago, a 30-year-old man, Mutawakilu Ibrahim, was arrested by the Kano State Police Command for allegedly stabbing his grandfather and grandmother to death during a quarrel at their home in Kofar Dawanau Quarters, Dala Local Government Area of Kano State.

According to the police, the incident occurred on September 25, 2025, when the suspect allegedly engaged in a heated disagreement with his elderly relatives over food.

Police spokesperson Abdullahi Kiyawa, said the suspect stabbed Muhammad Dan Sakkwato (75) and his wife Hadiza Tasidi (65) in the morning. Both sustained severe injuries and were rushed to the Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, where doctors confirmed them dead.

In 2025, the body of a young woman was found in an abandoned building in Sabuwar Gandu, Kano. She had been killed and her eyes gouged out.

Reports indicated she was Umar’s half-sister (same mother and father). Her father later alleged that Umar was responsible for her murder. The brutality of the crime shocked residents, reinforcing fears about repeated family-linked killings.

Killings within the last three years

In December 2023, a 24-year-old housewife, Hafsat Surajo, popularly known as Chucu, was arrested for allegedly stabbing Nafi’u Hafiz to death. Hafiz was believed to be her domestic associate and her husband’s close ally.

The incident occurred at Unguwa Uku in Taurani LGA and was confirmed by then Commissioner of Police, Hussaini Gumel.  In May 2024, at least 11 worshipers were killed and dozens injured after a man attacked a mosque in Gezawa, Kano. The assailant reportedly poured petrol inside the mosque, locked the doors, and set it ablaze, trapping about 40 worshipers.

Police later arrested a 38-year-old suspect and charged him to court. Investigations revealed the attack was triggered by a family inheritance dispute, showing how conflicts over property can escalate into mass violence.

In January 2023, 22-year-old Sagiru Rijiyar-Zaki stabbed his stepmother, Rabiatu Sagir, to death and strangled his younger sister, Munawara, with a scarf at Rijiyar Zaki quarters.

In January 2023, a 25-year-old man, Alkasim Ya’u, allegedly stabbed his father, Alhaji Ya’u Mohammed, to death at Tudun Yola ‘CO’ area of Gwale LGA.

Why Kano?

Though Kano has recorded its fair share of violence over the years, such occurrences have mainly been politically or religiously motivated. Homicidal crimes like sponsored killings, assassinations or ritual for money deaths had been on the low side as people who live in family settings often looked out for one another, until now, Weekend Trust gathered.

Experts said the traditional settings heavily influenced by religious ethos serve to curtail modern social living that escalate such tendencies. Where such cases are recorded have been mainly among youths through gang wars, drug induced fights and petty-thefts.

This is despite the fact that right from pre-colonial times, the city has achieved fame as a center for commerce with people coming from all parts of Africa to trade in various goods and merchandise.

Though Kano has for many years been regarded as one of the most populous in Nigeria, the rate of crime did not compare with other major cities in the country.

Experts say for a state with a very large population, popular markets such as Kurmi, Kantin Kwari; Sabon Gari, Dawanau, Kofar Wanbai, Galadima; Yankura and Bata; with tourist sites and huge industrial presence that deal in textile, tanning, footwear, cosmetics, plastics, enamelware, pharmaceuticals, ceramics and furniture, it should be expected that it would attract both the good and the bad.

Dr Auwalu Kawu, an expert on Strategic Behavior Change and Risk Communication, attributed the reported increase in such cases to a combination of factors, including socioeconomic stress, mental health challenges, substance abuse, and broader social or cultural pressures.

He added that rising poverty, unemployment, family tension, and lack of adequate support systems can create environments where conflicts escalate. “However, it is important to emphasise that each case is unique and requires individual assessment. Broad conclusions should not be drawn without thorough investigation,” he stated.

Detective Auwal Bala Durumin Iya, a Senior Security Consultant and Quality Assurance Assistant on Homeland Security in Nigeria, who spoke with our correspondent on increasing cases of killings in Kano, said one major factor is uncontrolled population movement.

He observed that Kano receives people migrating daily from different parts of the country, with many of them unemployed and without clear social integration.

“When you combine this with lack of basic security awareness within households, it creates vulnerabilities. Families often do not recognise early warning signs of violent behavior or know how to engage security structure”, he said.

He added that unemployment plays a major role, saying, “When young people lack opportunities, skills recognition or productive engagement, frustration builds up. I call this the failure to recognise prior learning and skills, where youths have abilities but no structured path to use them. This frustration can manifest violently within the home if not addressed early.

Reports show that security analysts and community leaders in Kano have frequently pointed to the role of substance abuse in these domestic horrors.

The 2017 killing of Mallam Ibrahim Salihu by his son, Habibu Ibrahim, in Asada village was directly linked to the suspect’s history of drug abuse. In other instances, such as the 2024 murder of Alhaji Ya’u Mohammed in the Tudun Yola area of Gwale, mental illness was cited as a primary factor. Despite these recurring themes, the sheer scale of the recent killing of Fatima Abubakar and her six children has forced a renewed conversation on the need for community-based interventions and better mental health support systems.

These tragedies remain a somber reminder of the rising tide of domestic insecurity, leaving many to wonder how a household meant for protection could transform into a theater of such immense violence.

An islamic scholar, Dr Isha Tanko, on his part said prominent among the factors responsible for the rise in crime rate in Kano are drug abuse, unemployment, widespread joblessness, high illiteracy levels and lack of proper youth mentorship.

He added: “Another major issue is poor tarbiyya (moral upbringing) and negligence by parents and the wider community. In addition, the internet and social media expose young people to negative influences, behaviours and ideas that contradict Islamic values, especially when there is no proper guidance.

‘Psychological disorder may be responsible’

A psychiatric, Happy L. Musa, attributed the development to untreated mental illness, substance abuse and or mounting social stressors, warning that many of the tragedies could have been prevented if early signs were recognised and addressed within families.

Musa explained that some violent acts within households are often linked to poorly managed or untreated mental health conditions, particularly when warning signs are either unnoticed or deliberately ignored by relatives. She said families should pay close attention when a member begins to display behaviours that are clearly out of character, noting that such changes are often early indicators of underlying psychological problems.

According to her, symptoms such as delusions – false and fixed beliefs that others intend harm – and hallucinations, including hearing voices, can push affected persons towards aggressive and irrational behaviour if left untreated.

“In some cases, individuals may hear voices commanding them to harm others. When this happens and no intervention is made, the risk of violence increases significantly,” she said, adding that persistent suspicion is another red flag associated with mental illness.

She stressed, however, that most people living with mental illness are not naturally violent, explaining that violence usually occurs when conditions are untreated or combined with other pressures.

She dismissed the belief that mental illness is caused by spiritual forces or divine punishment, noting that some disorders, including schizophrenia, can be inherited and may only manifest later in life if medical history is not properly assessed.

Musa also pointed to personality disorders marked by chronic aggression and lack of empathy as factors that may contribute to violence within families. She said substance abuse remains a major driver of violent behaviour in the state, citing frequent cases of substance-induced psychosis seen in clinical settings.

According to her, the use of substances such as cannabis, alcohol and tramadol can impair judgement, heighten aggression and trigger underlying psychotic conditions.

She added that unemployment, family conflict and emotional instability often worsen the situation, particularly during withdrawal periods when users are unable to access drugs, leading to irritability and rage.

Musa urged families and communities to pay closer attention to behavioural changes, emphasising that early recognition, medical care and psychosocial support could help stem the tide of domestic violence in Kano.

Data compiled from the Daily Trust library confirms increase in tragedies fueled by trivial disputes, mental health challenges, and the scourge of drug abuse.

Only months prior, in November 2025, the state recorded two other significant domestic fatalities. In the Goda community of Shanono Local Government Area, a man identified as Idris Kurma allegedly killed his wife, Aisha Idris, following a disagreement over the preparation of a local snack known as kuli-kuli.

In that same month, another incident in Kano saw a son allegedly take the life of his mother, though the specific motives for that particular tragedy remain under investigation.

Evidence suggests that minor altercations are increasingly escalating into fatal violence. In June 2025, Zainab Adamu was killed by her father during a domestic altercation in Dawakin Dakata Quarters.

Such cases highlight a growing inability among some residents to resolve interpersonal conflicts without resorting to lethal force.

While many of the recorded victims are women and children, the data also reveals that men also are falling victim to spousal violence. In May 2025, 18-year-old Saudat Jibrin Adam was arrested in the Farawa community of Kumbotso Local Government Area over the alleged killing of her husband, Salisu Idris Ibrahim, following a domestic disagreement.

Similarly, historical records from the state show instances where husbands were killed over allegations of infidelity, such as the case in Dorayi, where a woman allegedly killed her husband, Adamu Ali, after accusing him of chatting with another woman on his phone.

‘Society key to ending menace’

On what can be done to curb such a menace, experts say society has a crucial role to play. Said Dr |Kawu, “This includes promoting mental health awareness, reducing stigma around seeking help, strengthening family and community support systems, and encouraging people to report concerning behaviors early. Community vigilance and empathy can help identify warning signs before situations escalate into tragedy”.

He added that security agencies must conduct thorough and transparent investigations and ensure justice is served in line with the law. Beyond enforcement, collaboration with mental health professionals, social workers, and community leaders is essential. Early intervention, intelligence sharing, and crisis response mechanisms can help reduce the likelihood of similar occurrences.

Another expert, who does not want to be named blamed the crisis on what he called a breakdown of family system. He maintained that due to economic challenges, often times, children are left unsupervised and during that period they pick up habits that later become harmful to society. He maintained that the way to tackle the issue is a return to old family values. He called on parents to take their roles seriously. He added that the age of social media exposes people to a lot of things and that where there is no proper guidance, the result could be disastrous. He said what is happening in Kano must be taken seriously as it could get worse.

Friends, relations speak on suspect behind killing of Kano 7

Fresh details have emerged on the background and lifestyle of the prime suspect in the killing of a mother and her six children in Dorayi Chiranci area of Kano metropolis.

Mallam Auwal, the father of the suspect, Umar, told Weekend Trust that his son’s alleged involvement in the killings had left the family devastated, insisting that the man he knew did not fit the profile of a violent person.

“Umar was among those who carried her and the children to the graveyard. After that, I brought him and my uncle back home on my motorcycle. Later that same night, the police came,” he said.

Mallam Auwal disclosed that security operatives recovered items that deepened suspicion against his son.

“They recovered his trousers stained with blood, a new machete and about 200,000 in cash,” he said.

He described Umar as a quiet and seemingly disciplined individual, adding that his behaviour over the years never suggested criminal tendencies.

“He does not even eat kola nut, let alone smoke cigarettes. If you stay with him, he looks like a complete gentleman,” the distraught father said.

A childhood friend of Umar said he was known to be calm and withdrawn. “He hardly talks. He is not the type that goes out at night or cause trouble. That is why this issue shocked all of us,” he said.

A younger relative, who grew up around Umar, said the suspect was known more for hard work than socialising.

The Kano State Police Command said the suspects apprehended in the Dorayi Chiranchi family killings have confessed that the same group had been involved in other violent crimes, including the killing and burning of the two women at Tudun Yola.

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