The 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has issued a strong call for swift and uncompromising justice following the killing of a 35 year old woman, Fatima Abubakar, and her six children in Kano, describing the tragedy as a brutal stain on society and a damning verdict on Nigeria’s justice system.
The shocking killings, which occurred last Saturday, have triggered widespread anger and grief across Kano State. Reacting to the incident, Emir Sanusi expressed deep condolences to the bereaved husband, the extended family, and the people of the state, saying the scale and cruelty of the crime had shaken the public conscience.
The monarch warned that violent crimes would continue to rise if killers are not made to face the full consequences of the law. He lamented what he described as a pattern of weak enforcement of court judgments, noting that many individuals convicted of murder and sentenced to death remain alive years after judgment due to delays or the refusal of authorities to sign execution warrants.
Emir Sanusi questioned a justice system where suspects confess to murder, are tried and convicted by competent courts, yet suffer no final punishment. According to him, such failures send a dangerous signal that emboldens criminals and normalises impunity.
He cautioned leaders against granting pardons to convicted murderers out of sympathy, insisting that anyone who showed no mercy to innocent victims should not expect mercy from the state. The Emir stressed that the right to forgive lies solely with the victim’s family and with God, not with political office holders.
The traditional ruler also criticised the application of prerogative of mercy in murder cases, describing it as misplaced and harmful. While acknowledging that lesser offences such as theft or crimes against the state may attract clemency, he argued that murder should never be treated in the same way.
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Calling for a firm return to justice, Emir Sanusi said the certainty of punishment, including the death penalty where provided by law, remains one of the strongest deterrents against violent crime. He warned that without decisive action, similar atrocities would continue to occur.
He commended the Nigeria Police for the swift arrest of suspects linked to the killings and urged that they be charged to court without delay. He also called on the judiciary to ensure a speedy trial that would deliver justice to the victims and restore public confidence.
The Emir expressed hope that once judgment is delivered, the Kano State Government would act decisively by promptly signing the execution warrant, stressing that firm and timely action would serve as a clear warning to would-be offenders.
