The father of the prime suspect in the killing of a housewife and her six children in Kano State has publicly disowned his son and called for swift justice, as President Bola Tinubu ordered a full investigation into the incident and the Kano State Government assumed responsibility for prosecuting those involved.

The suspect, Umar Auwal, is accused of leading an attack that resulted in the death of his aunt, Fatima Abubakar, 35, and her six children at their residence in the Dorayi Chiranchi area of Kano metropolis. The incident, which occurred on Saturday, has sparked widespread outrage within and outside the state.

Speaking during a radio interview, the suspect’s father, Malam Auwal, condemned the alleged actions of his son, distancing himself from him and insisting that the law should take its full course. He praised the police for their swift response and stated that neither he nor the suspect’s mother would attend court proceedings. Punishment for murder is death penalty.

Police authorities confirmed that Umar Auwal, who is currently in custody, has allegedly confessed to the killings, as well as to involvement in another recent attack in Tudun Yola. Investigations into the matter are ongoing.

Reacting to the tragedy, President Tinubu, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, condemned the killings, commended the police for the prompt arrest of suspects, and directed that the investigation and prosecution be carried out diligently.

Similarly, the Kano State Government announced that it had taken over the prosecution of the suspects. The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Abdulkarim Maude, SAN, said the decision followed a directive from Governor Abba Yusuf to ensure justice for the victims. He assured residents that the case would be handled with transparency and strict adherence to due process.

Former Anambra State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi, also described the incident as a devastating tragedy, noting that the swift action by security agencies demonstrated that Nigeria has the capacity to confront and defeat crime when institutions act decisively.

Authorities have urged residents to remain calm, vigilant, and law-abiding, while continuing to support security agencies with credible information as investigations continue.