Herbalist Ordered Me To Kill Family Of 7 — Suspect

The prime suspect in the killing of Fatima Abubakar and her six children in Dorayi Chiranci, Kano State, has told the Kano State High Court that he carried out the murders on the instruction of a herbalist.

The suspect, Umar Auwalu, made the claim on Wednesday while opening his defence before Justice Nasiru Saminu of High Court No. 11.

Auwalu, 23, told the court that a traditional healer identified as Thomas gave him incense and directed him to continue carrying out similar killings, claiming he had committed such crimes before.

He also exonerated his co-defendants, Isyaku Yakubu Chobe and Yakubu Dayyabu, insisting they had no involvement in the incident.

According to him, he only implicated the two men after he was allegedly tortured by police officers while in custody following his arrest.

During the hearing, the prosecution team, led by Safiya Yalwati and Zaharaddeen Hamisu Kofar Mata, represented police investigator Corporal Aliyu Jamilu, while the defence also presented its witnesses.

Justice Saminu subsequently adjourned the case until July 21 for the continuation of the trial.

The killings occurred on January 17, 2026, when Fatima Abubakar and her six children were found murdered in their home in the Dorayi Chiranci community, throwing residents into mourning.

Police investigations led to the arrest of Auwalu, a nephew of the deceased, along with Isyaku Yakubu Chobe and Yakubu Dayyabu.

The trio were initially arraigned before Magistrates’ Court No. 2 in Nomansland on February 5, 2026, on an eight-count charge bordering on conspiracy, culpable homicide, robbery and rape.

Following legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, the matter was transferred to the High Court in April, where the defendants were re-arraigned on a nine-count charge.

While Auwalu admitted partial responsibility during the proceedings, the two other defendants pleaded not guilty.