The father of the prime suspect arrested over the killing of seven members of a single family in Kano State has publicly demanded that his own son be put to death, describing him as “useless to society” and undeserving of mercy.
According to SaharaReporters, the suspect, Umar Auwal, is in police custody following the attack that occurred on Saturday at Dorayi Gidan Kwari, in the Chiranchi area of Kano metropolis. The incident has triggered widespread outrage and grief across the state and beyond.
The victims were identified as Fatima Abubakar, 35, and her six children: Maimuna, 17; Aisha, 16; Bashir, 13; Abubakar, 10; Faruk, 7; and Abdussalam, aged one and a half.
Police authorities confirmed that Umar Auwal, who is reportedly the nephew of the deceased woman, confessed to carrying out the killings. The police also said the suspect admitted involvement in a separate recent incident in the Tudun Yola area of Kano, where two housewives were killed and their house set on fire.
In an emotional interview aired on a local radio station, the suspect’s father, Malam Auwal, openly disowned his son and urged security agencies and the judiciary to act swiftly.
“What he committed against my younger sister and her six children, my wife’s younger sister and her co-wife, is condemnable. I distance myself from him,” Malam Auwal said.
He insisted that the suspect should not remain in custody at public expense, arguing that capital punishment was the only appropriate response.
“I don’t even want them to waste time on prosecution. Umar and his likes are supposed to be eliminated. They are not supposed to be remanded and fed with taxpayers’ money,” he declared.
Malam Auwal further alleged that his son had a long history of violent behaviour, claiming that Umar had previously killed his younger sister several years ago—an allegation that has deepened public shock and renewed calls for a thorough investigation into the suspect’s past.
Despite his anguish, the father praised the Kano State Police Command for what he described as swift and professional handling of the case.
“I have sacrificed him already,” he said, adding that neither he nor the suspect’s mother would attend any court proceedings related to the matter.
The case has sparked intense debate and emotional reactions on social media, with many Nigerians expressing anger, fear and deep concern about public safety and the justice system.
Reacting on X, Victor Ayeni (@Ola_ayeni_) questioned systemic failures, saying, “If it’s true that the suspect had a long history of violent behaviour, then his parents and the system failed by not having him prosecuted and incarcerated.”
Another user, Ìṣọ̀lá Alapo (@spaceprimal), criticised political leadership, writing, “Our governors are confident in stealing taxpayers’ money but are lily-livered to sign the death penalty of these sorts of criminals.”
Red Rose (@Roseangel009) expressed fear about possible future outcomes, stating, “The same killer might roam around the street again in future after he gets presidential pardon.”
Joe Nwachukwu (@nwachukwu_42826) echoed public distrust of the system, saying, “He’s coming out; they’ll release him and replace him with a dead person. Is it not Nigeria again?”
Others focused on the father’s stance. NevalikeB4 (@Okoyamiddleson) wrote, “If his father can speak like this, imagine the level of unrest this man would have caused to the community.”
Dan Kibon (@DanKibon1) added simply, “Good father.”
Paul Ben (@_paul_ben) reflected on the tragedy itself, asking, “What exactly would prompt you to kill seven members of the same family? The heart of a man is indeed desperately wicked.”
As investigations continue, the killings and the father’s extraordinary public condemnation of his son have intensified national conversations about justice, accountability, and the urgent need to prevent violent crimes across the country.
