Kano High Court sentences two men to death for killing housewife and six children

Verdict announced in Kano

On Friday 6 November 2026, the Kano State High Court sitting at Court 11 in Bompai delivered a landmark judgment. Umar Auwal and Yakubu Dayyabu received capital punishment via hanging from Justice Nasiru Saminu after being found guilty of killing Fatima Abubakar and her six offspring at their Dorayi Chiranchi residence on 17 January 2026. Each convict received seven death sentences, one for each victim. In addition, both men were handed life imprisonment terms for conspiracy and armed robbery.

The court also discharged a third defendant, Isiyaku Yakubu, of the conspiracy charge linked to the killings. Abdulkarim Maude, serving as the Kano State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, headed the legal team for the prosecution, with Barrister Salisu Muhammad Tahir providing support.

Background of the case

Fatima Abubakar, a 35‑year‑old housewife, and her six children were murdered in a brutal attack that shocked the local community. The incident occurred on 17 January 2026 at the family’s residence in Dorayi Chiranchi. Investigations revealed that the killers were relatives of the victims, who had been invited into the house under false pretences. The first accused, Umar Auwal, known locally as “Breaker,” was said to have opened the door for his accomplice, Yakubu Dayyabu, known as “Wawo,” who then carried out the attack.

The trial saw the prosecution present evidence and testimonies that linked the two men to the crime. Both defendants were represented by counsel J. I. Musa and A. I. Baba. While Auwal pleaded guilty and sought leniency, Dayyabu pleaded not guilty.

Why it matters

The sentencing underscores the seriousness with which Kano’s judiciary treats crimes involving multiple victims, especially when the perpetrators are family members. The death penalty, applied here by hanging, is reserved for the most heinous offences under Section 221 of the Penal Code. The ruling also serves as a deterrent against armed robbery and conspiracy, as both men received concurrent life sentences for those offences.

The case has drawn public attention to the vulnerability of families in the region and the need for stronger protective measures. The Attorney‑General praised the police investigation and the Ministry of Justice officials for securing the conviction, while noting that the state is prepared to enforce the death sentence if the convicts do not appeal within the statutory period.

What happens next

The court’s judgment leaves room for appeal. The defendants retain the right to challenge the death sentences and the life terms within the timeframe set by law. The Attorney‑General has indicated that the state will pursue execution if the appeals are not filed or are dismissed. No further dates or procedural steps have been announced beyond the standard appellate process.

The acquitted third defendant, Isiyaku Yakubu, remains under separate legal scrutiny, with two other cases pending judgment.