The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has attributed the recent killing of a woman and her six children in Kano to the negative influence of drug abuse.

The victims, Fatima Abubakar and her children, were brutally murdered at their residence in Dorayi Chiranchi quarters of Kano metropolis last weekend.

Speaking at a joint press briefing in Kano on Sunday, ACF chairman in the state, Dr Goni Umar Faruk, said such an atrocious act could not have been committed without the influence of drugs.

The briefing was organised in collaboration with Muryar Matan Arewa (Voice of Northern Women) and the League for Societal Protection Against Drug Abuse (LESPADA).

“Once you see somebody slaughtering children like this, he must be under the influence of drugs or be part of a cult organisation,” Dr Faruk said.

He lamented that no neighbour came to the aid of the victims during the attack, stressing the need for community policing.

“Every community should consider policing its area. We will establish a committee that will bring together traditional, religious and community leaders to form a strong force vigilant on movements in their respective areas,” he added.

Faruk also urged the government to regulate the purchase of arms, ensure proper documentation of buyers, and capture residents’ thumbprints for easy identification of criminals.

He disclosed that ACF, through Awkat funded by AA Rano, would provide interest-free loans of ₦100,000 each to 1,000 youths before the end of June to empower them and reduce vulnerability to crime.

He commended the state government and security agencies, particularly the police and DSS, for swiftly arresting the suspects.

Executive Director of Muryar Matan Arewa, Binta Mukhtar Shata, said the meeting was convened to deliberate as mothers on finding lasting solutions to insecurity affecting households.

“Societal values have changed. Mothers are now afraid of their children. We want justice for the perpetrators and we want them punished,” she said.

Shata also said the group would henceforth be hosting such engagements annually to strengthen family values.

On her part, LESPADA Executive Secretary, Maryam Hassan, said the killings had shaken residents within and outside the state.

“Government is trying, but it cannot do it alone. Communities must step in, especially in tackling drug abuse, because no sane man will kill another without the influence of drugs,” she said, linking thuggery, phone snatching and killings to substance abuse. (Daily Trust)