A Kano State High Court sitting at Bompai has sentenced two men to death by hanging for the murder of a 35-year-old housewife, Fatima Abubakar, and her six children in Dorayi Chiranci, Kano State.
The court, presided over by Justice Nasiru Saminu, delivered the judgment on Friday, November 6, 2026, after finding Umar Auwalu, popularly known as Breaker, and Yakubu Dayyabu guilty of the killings.
The victims, who were murdered on January 17, 2026, included Fatima and her six children: Maimuna, 17; Aisha, 16; Bashir, 13; Abubakar, 10; Faruk, seven; and Abdussalam, aged one and a half.
The two convicts were each sentenced to death by hanging on seven counts of culpable homicide, one for each victim, under Section 221 of the Penal Code. They were also sentenced to life imprisonment with hard labour for conspiracy to commit culpable homicide and armed robbery.
However, the third defendant, Isyaku Yakubu, also known as Chebe or Chobe, was discharged and acquitted by the court.
During the trial, the court heard that the attackers gained access to the victims’ home after Fatima opened the door for Auwalu, whom she knew as her nephew.
The attackers allegedly locked the house and assaulted the family with dangerous objects, including a cutlass, a club and a sewing machine, killing all seven occupants.
Neighbours reportedly forced their way into the house after hearing cries for help but discovered that the attackers had fled.
Auwalu, who was identified as the leader of the group, reportedly admitted partial responsibility for the crime but pleaded for leniency.
He also alleged during the proceedings that a herbalist identified as Thomas had supplied him with incense and instructed him to continue carrying out similar attacks.