Kano Killings: Emir Sanusi Backs Suspect’s Father, Calls for Death Penalty

Emir Sanusi warned that sparing such killers would only encourage more violence.

The Emir of Kano, Khalifa Muhammadu Sanusi II, has echoed the call for capital punishment for the killers of a housewife, Fatima Abubakar, and her six children in the Chiranci Dorayi area of Kumbotso Local Government Area, Kano State, over the weekend.

​He made the call while speaking to journalists on Monday, as he reacted to the brutal killings.

The revered monarch advised the state government to do everything possible to ensure that anyone found guilty of killing innocent people is sentenced to death.

​He also warned that sparing such murderers would only encourage further violence.

​He said: “If a person kills and is allowed to go free, then the killing of innocent people will never stop.”

Emir ​Sanusi further prayed for the souls of the victims and asked God to grant their husband and the wider Muslim community the strength to bear the loss.

​Prior to this development, the father of the principal suspect in the case, Mallam Auwalu, had asked for the speedy trial and execution of his son by the state government.

​Speaking in the Hausa language during an interview with a local radio station in Kano, he said: “I suspect that Umar (his son) was also behind the killing of the Dorayi housewife’s younger sister last month.

​“I am quite sure that Umar has been committing several crimes of which we were unaware; now that he has been arrested, he should be punished accordingly.

​“I do not want the government or the security agencies to delay his trial. If he is allowed to remain in prison, some politicians may intervene to have him pardoned, and that would not be good for our society.”