The Kano State Police Command has arrested a 23-year-old man, identified as the nephew of a slain housewife, as the alleged mastermind behind the killing of the woman and her six children in Kano.
The victims were discovered dead on January 17, 2026, at their home in Dorayi Chiranchi Quarters. According to the police, the arrests 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 incident.
Police said the prime suspect, Umar Auwalu of Sabuwar Gandu Quarters, was arrested during a coordinated overnight operation carried out between late Saturday and early Sunday. Two other suspects were also taken into custody: Isyaku Yakubu, 40, also known as “Chebe,” from Sagagi Quarters, and Yakubu Abdulaziz, 21, popularly called “Wawo,” from Sabon Gida Sharada Quarters.
The Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, described Auwalu as a “family insider,” noting that investigations revealed he was closely related to the deceased. Kiyawa said the suspect made confessional statements linking himself and his accomplices to the killings.
He added that during interrogation, Auwalu also confessed to involvement in other violent crimes, including the killing of two women in Tudun Yola Quarters, Kano, in a separate case that is still under investigation.
Items recovered during the operation include blood-stained clothing, mobile phones belonging to the deceased, 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 led to the arrests. The command assured residents that investigations are ongoing to determine the full extent of the suspects’ activities and to identify any additional accomplices, while reiterating its commitment to ensuring that all those responsible are brought to justice.