Families of three men allegedly killed by suspected political thugs in Kano State have demanded justice and called on the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, to intervene in the investigation.
The families of Nura Usman, Albashir Tukur and Abba made the demand on Wednesday during a gathering attended by relatives, neighbours and supporters in Kano.
The victims were allegedly killed on May 5 during the swearing-in ceremony of the Deputy Governor of Kano State, Murtala Sule Garo.
They were reportedly attacked around the Kano Medical Centre on Race Course Road and other locations in the state.
The families accused the authorities of releasing suspects arrested in connection with the killings, despite alleged eyewitness accounts and CCTV footage said to have captured the incident.
They also called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Attorney-General of the Federation, the National Human Rights Commission and other relevant authorities to ensure a thorough, transparent and impartial investigation.
Addressing journalists, Malam Nasiru Usman Idris said available evidence and eyewitness accounts showed that the victims were stabbed multiple times.
“We have been following this case step by step, hoping justice will be done. But to our shock, those arrested were later released. Since then, nothing meaningful has happened,” he said.
The families identified the alleged suspects as Nazifi Nanaso, Mai Daudu, Rabi’u Farar Gafiya, Suda, Manniru Kanabaro and Daba-Daba.
They expressed concern that no decisive action had been taken despite what they described as evidence and eyewitness identification.
A mother of one of the victims, who broke down in tears during the gathering, appealed to the authorities to ensure justice for her son.
“We have lost our child, and since that day, our lives have never been the same. All we are asking for is justice. Let those who killed our children be held accountable. We will not stop crying out until justice is done,” she said.
The families also alleged that influential individuals, including a senior Federal Government official, might be shielding the suspects.
They said the alleged interference had eroded their confidence in the investigation.
The families further expressed concern that witnesses who allegedly identified the suspects at the Kano State Police Command Headquarters had yet to see any concrete action taken.
“We seek nothing more than justice for our children. As they lie in their graves, we pray that the rule of law will prevail and that justice is served without fear or favour,” the families said.
The gathering ended with renewed calls for justice for Nura Usman, Albashir Tukur and Abba.
