DSS arrests 5 in Kano over murder of one-year-old girl

The Governor of Kano State, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has lauded the Department of State Services (DSS) for its rapid response in arresting five individuals connected to the kidnapping and brutal killing of one-year-old Sakina Mamuda.

The incident took place in Duhun Bake village, located in the Gwarzo Local Government Area.

This information was shared in a statement issued on Thursday evening by the Governor’s spokesperson, Sanusi Dawakin-Tofa.

According to the release, the suspects allegedly abducted the young girl and subsequently demanded a ransom from her family. Tragically, they then proceeded to murder the child. “However, the perpetrators heartlessly dumped her dead body in an abandoned open well,” the statement noted.

The arrested individuals—Zailani Rabiu, Hafizu Yusuf, Abubakar Abdulkareem, Umar Lawan, and Amadu Salisu—are all residents of the same community as the victim in Gwarzo Local Government Area. They are currently under investigation for criminal conspiracy, kidnapping, and homicide, as stated in the release.

During a joint press briefing at the Government House in Kano, the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Haruna Dederi, along with the Commissioner for Information and other senior officials, underscored the government’s commitment to ensuring swift justice in this disturbing case.

“Governor Yusuf expressed deep sorrow over the incident and praised the DSS operatives and other security agencies for their proactive response,” the statement continued. The Governor also reiterated his administration’s determination to enhance the state’s security framework through increased investment in intelligence, logistics, and inter-agency cooperation.
“This senseless tragedy has shaken us to the core,” Governor Yusuf remarked. “I commend the DSS for acting swiftly and decisively. We will continue to prioritize the safety of our people and ensure that those who threaten our peace are brought to justice.”

The crime has sparked widespread outrage, with many demanding the immediate prosecution of the suspects and the enforcement of the full extent of the law for anyone found guilty of harming children.