This is not the first time such a tragedy has struck the hearts of people in my dear state. The last incident I vividly recall was in 2010, when Bello Garba Bello (popularly known as Baba) was arrested in connection with the murder of his father, mother, and siblings. Kano—and indeed the entire country—was thrown into deep mourning.
I remember attending court sittings at the Audu Bako Secretariat before the late Justice Halliru Muhammad Abdullahi. Those moments greatly inspired my ambition to become a lawyer, especially watching how the then Attorney General, Aliyu Umar—even before becoming an SAN—led the prosecution. He was supported by a formidable team, including Barrister Amina Yar Gaya.
Another painful tragedy occurred at Tudun Yola, where two housewives and some of their children were burnt to death. To the best of my knowledge, that case is still under investigation, and I do not know whether the police have arrested anyone in connection with that heinous act.
Then came last Saturday afternoon with the devastating news: assailants wiped out an entire family of seven. The only survivor was the father, who had gone to the market in search of food.
The mother and her six children were gruesomely murdered by unknown assailants in broad daylight.
Kai! Innalillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un.
How can someone in their right senses commit such an evil act?
I was playing golf when I checked my phone at Hole 18—the final hole—and the shocking news broke. I shared it with one of the caddies, a friend, and we both stood in disbelief.
As I lamented how anyone could have the heart to take human lives so casually, he reminded me of the words of the late AVM Mukhtari Mohammed, a fine golfer, who once warned about the alarming number of children roaming the streets—children whose parents are unknown and who receive no guidance or discipline. Such children grow up without understanding the value of doing right; all they know is smoking, drugs, and survival by any means.
Acts this heinous can only be committed by people who are completely out of their senses. This is one more reason we must intensify the fight against drug abuse and the criminals who sell drugs to our children, brothers, and sisters.
Government must take decisive action against this menace in our dear state. What happened on Saturday is one of the bitter consequences of unchecked drug abuse.
Why does it always seem to happen in Kano? Because Kano is a centre—a hub. Sadly, we may have one of the highest numbers of drug abuse cases in the country, if not on the entire African continent. For anyone who doubts this, I advise a visit to the NDLEA.
Government must also address the issue of children roaming the streets. Those without parents should be identified and given proper care. This is a core responsibility of governance. Governance is not only about building roads and bridges; it is about protecting lives and ensuring the welfare of citizens.
Policies must be formulated and implemented to safeguard society.
I pray that the police arrest the perpetrators of this wicked act. May they never know peace for the rest of their lives.
May Allah forgive the victims, grant them eternal rest, and give the husband and father the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.
Innalillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un.
Adnan is a University Lecturer and Doctoral Candidate at Northwest University, Kano
