Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has issued a strong condemnation following the horrific murder of a housewife and her six children in Kano State. The brutal incident, which has sent shockwaves across the nation, occurred in the Dorayi Chiranchi Quarters of Kano metropolis.
Atiku's Heartbreak and Call for Justice
In a statement released on Sunday, January 18, 2026, via his official X (formerly Twitter) account, Atiku expressed profound sorrow over the tragedy. He described the act as a senseless and unacceptable violence against innocent Nigerians.
"I am heartbroken by the gruesome killing of a mother and her six children in Dorayi Chiranchi, Kano," Atiku stated. He extended his deepest sympathies to the grieving family and the entire community traumatized by the event.
The former presidential candidate did not stop at condolences. He raised critical questions about the effectiveness of the nation's security apparatus, suggesting a possible gap between high-level directives and on-ground action. "It is either the so-called marching orders to the security agencies are not being actioned or it is merely political talk," he remarked pointedly.
Atiku urgently called on security agencies to ensure the perpetrators face the full wrath of the law and to take decisive steps to protect all citizens. "We must end the culture of violence and ensure safety for all," he urged.
Police Swiftly Arrest Three Suspects
In a related development, the Kano State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of three principal suspects linked to the gruesome crime. The arrests were made following an intelligence-led operation.
The operation was ordered by the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, and coordinated by the Kano State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori.
According to a statement from the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, the suspects were apprehended during a sting operation conducted between 10:00 p.m. on Friday, January 17, and 4:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 18, 2026.
A Community in Deep Trauma
The scale of the brutality has left residents of Dorayi Chiranchi Quarters in a state of profound shock and horror. Locals described it as one of the most terrifying attacks ever witnessed in the area.
The victims have been identified as:
- Fatima Abubakar, 35, the mother.
- Her children: Maimuna (17), Aisha (16), Bashir (13), Abubakar (10), Faruk (7), and Abdussalam (1.5 years old).
A resident, Kabiru Ibrahim, voiced the community's collective anguish, stating they were struggling to comprehend how an entire family could be wiped out in such a manner. The bodies of the victims were evacuated to the Murtala Mohammed Specialist Hospital, where they were confirmed dead.
This tragic event has once again brought Nigeria's security challenges into sharp focus, prompting calls from top political figures like Atiku Abubakar for more effective and actionable measures to protect lives and property.
