By AMINU GARKO

Residents of Chiranchi, Dorayi Quarters in Gwale Local Government Area, are still reeling from the brutal murder of a housewife, Fatima Abubakar, 35, and her six children, who were killed in their home on Saturday.

The victims were identified as Maimuna, 17, Aisha, 16, Bashir, 13, Abubakar, 10, Faruk, 7, and Abdulsalam, 1 years old respectively.

A neighbour, Malam Bala Abubakar, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Dorayi on Monday.

Abubakar described the moment he heard frantic shouts and screams for help, prompting him to rush outside, still wrapped in a towel, to join other neighbours who had poured into the narrow street.

Abubakar stated that the attackers used a sewing machine head to crush the skulls of the innocent children, killing them in cold blood and leaving them dead in a pool of blood.

The police had arrested three suspects, including Umar Auwalu, 23, a nephew of the deceased woman, who confessed to leading the attack.

The suspects were apprehended during a sting operation conducted between 10 pm on January 17 and 4 am on January 18, 2026.

Items recovered from the suspects include blood-stained clothes, two mobile phones belonging to the victims, a cutlass, and a club.

“When officers arrived, they moved swiftly, combing the premises and nearby areas,” Abubukar added.

The Community in Dorayi Chiranchi, Kano, is still reeling from the brutal murder of Fatima Abubakar, 35, and her six children.

Neighbours, including bricklayers working on a nearby house, were alerted by screams and quickly rushed to the scene.

Malam Bala, a neighbour, insisted that the community did not stand idly by, saying, “everyone came out, we all rushed to help.

“The residents surrounded the building to prevent the attackers’ escape and alerted security agencies.

“They also reported hearing the victim’s distressed cries, including her plea to “Umar, please don’t kill me,” implicating one of the attackers, Umar Auwalu, who is also the victim’s nephew.

“The police arrived promptly, combed the premises, and arrested three suspects, including Auwalu.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Kano State Government and security agencies have vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice.

According to Malam Bala, it soon became clear that the attackers had not fled the scene but were hiding within the compound.

One suspect was discovered concealed in a toilet and was secured by security personnel, who believed he could lead them to others involved.

The rescue effort, however, came too late for the woman and her children.

The manner of the attack was described by neighbours as exceptionally violent, leaving the entire community traumatised.

The victims were later evacuated to hospital, but none survived.

Beyond the horror of the crime itself, what has pained residents deeply is the accusation that neighbours failed to intervene.

Malam Bala firmly rejected this narrative. “We live peacefully here.

“We love one another,” he said, adding, “we did our best. The story that we refused to help is not true.”

The Ward Head of Chiranchi, Gidan Kwari, Malam Ahmad Ya’u Yahaya, has expressed gratitude over the arrest of suspects involved in the brutal murder of a woman and her six children in Dorayi, Kano State.

He recounted rushing to the scene upon receiving the news, only to be met with an “unbelievable” sight.

Yahaya commended the security agencies for their professionalism in apprehending the suspects through intelligence-led investigations.

The community leader revealed that some perpetrators had disguised themselves as sympathisers during the funeral, mingling with mourners.

However, the security agencies were monitoring their movements, gathering information until all suspects were tracked down.

The community remained grief-stricken, with homes once filled with children’s laughter now shrouded in silence.

In spite of the sorrow, there is relief that the suspects had been arrested.

“Alhamdulillah, we are grateful they have been captured,” Yahaya said.

The community appealed to the government to ensure that justice was served, hoping accountability would bring comfort to the affected neighbourhood.

Some of the perpetrators reportedly mingled with mourners at a funeral in Dorayi, Kano, disguising themselves as sympathisers, according to a community leader.

However, the security agencies were monitoring their movements and tracked them down.

The arrest of the suspects had brought relief to the grieving community, with the ward head saying, “Alhamdulillah, we are grateful they have been captured.” (NAN)

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