Kano High Court hands death sentence to two for killing mother, six children

Kano’s Attorney-General says the state will pursue the death sentences if the convicts do not appeal in time, while a third defendant was cleared of the murder and conspiracy charges.

A Kano State High Court has sentenced two men to death by hanging for killing a housewife, Fatima Abubakar, and her six children in Dorayi Chiranchi, Kano, Punch reports.

Justice Nasiru Saminu of High Court No. 11 delivered the judgment on Friday, finding Umar Auwal, known as Breaker, and Yakubu Dayyabu, also known as Wawo, guilty of killing Fatima and her six children on January 17, 2026.

The judge said, “The brutal killing of the mother and her six children was a horrific crime that challenged the conscience of society. How I wish there is a punishment heavier than this. My emphasis is not to administer vengeance but justice.”

The court sentenced both to life imprisonment for conspiracy and armed robbery. It discharged and acquitted a third defendant, Isiyaku, of the conspiracy and murder charges.

Attorney-General Abdulkarim Maude said the state was ready to pursue the death sentence if the convicts do not appeal within the period allowed by law.