A Kano State High Court has sentenced a man, Shuaibu Abdulkadir, to death by hanging after finding him guilty of murdering 22-year-old Rumaisa Shuaibu, who was pregnant.

Justice Farida Dan Baffa delivered the judgment on Friday after ruling that the prosecution had proved the case beyond reasonable doubt.

Abdulkadir, a resident of Farawa in Kumbotso Local Government Area, was charged with one count of culpable homicide punishable by death under Section 221 of the Kano State Penal Code. He was arraigned before the court on August 23, 2025.

During the trial, the prosecution, led by Barr. Basiru Kabiru Aliyu, called three witnesses, including the victim’s husband, Ibrahim Muhammad; the defendant’s fiancée, Asiya Abdulmalik; and the investigating police officer, ASP Chindo Chiwa.

The prosecution also tendered several exhibits, including a video of the incident, a flash drive containing electronic evidence, the defendant’s written confession, English and Hausa transcripts of the confession, photographs of the victim, the knife allegedly used in the killing, and the defendant’s mobile phone.

After hearing both the prosecution and the defence, the court convicted Abdulkadir of killing Rumaisa after she became pregnant for him and sentenced him to death by hanging.

Reacting to the verdict, Kano State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Abdulkarim Kabiru Maude (SAN), described the conviction as “another significant milestone in the Ministry’s unwavering commitment to ensuring that criminal cases are prosecuted professionally, fairly, and diligently.”

He added that the judgment demonstrates the ministry’s determination to protect victims’ rights, uphold the rule of law and ensure offenders are held accountable.

Maude also praised prosecutor Barr. Basiru Kabiru Aliyu for his professionalism and dedication throughout the trial, saying his work reflects the standard expected of state counsel.

He urged all state prosecutors to continue handling criminal cases with integrity, competence and fairness, while reaffirming the ministry’s commitment to strengthening the prosecution of serious crimes and ensuring justice remains the foundation for peace and security in Kano State.

The death of 15-year-old Busang Ayuka following an alleged assault by operatives of the Taraba State Marshal has sparked widespread outrage across the state, with residents, civil society groups and concerned stakeholders demanding an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.

The teenager, who lived in Angwan Alfa, Serti B, Gashaka Local Government Area, reportedly died on Friday at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jalingo, after allegedly sustaining severe injuries while in the custody of Taraba State Marshal operatives in Baruwa.

The incident has once again reignited concerns over the conduct of security personnel during routine enforcement operations, as many residents question the level of accountability within agencies responsible for maintaining law and order.

Information gathered indicates that the incident began after a disagreement between Busang and one of his friends over a missing MP3 player and a power bank. The complainant reportedly accused the teenager of taking the items before reporting the matter to the Taraba State Marshal office. Busang was subsequently arrested by operatives of the agency.

His family alleges that he was brutally assaulted by the operatives, while the agency has yet to confirm the circumstances surrounding the injuries that eventually claimed his life.

Speaking through tears, the deceased’s mother, Mrs Hasena Ayuka, recounted how the family’s ordeal unfolded. According to her, the complainant first approached her on the night of the incident, accusing Busang of taking the missing items before proceeding to the Taraba State Marshal office.

“The following day, which was Sunday, officers of the Taraba State Marshal arrested my son. Later, they asked me to come to the CRCN Hospital in Gashaka, where I found him lying half-dead,” she said.

Mrs Ayuka rejected claims allegedly made by the officers that her son developed an ulcer while in custody.

“My son never had an ulcer. When I saw him, his neck appeared broken, parts of his body were swollen, and he could not speak. From that moment until he died, he never regained consciousness,” she alleged.

She explained that Busang was first admitted to the CRCN Hospital in Baruwa before being referred to the Federal Medical Centre, Jalingo, after his condition deteriorated.

“My family wants to know why my son was killed. Whatever the allegation against him, nobody has the right to take his life. We want justice for Busang,” the grieving mother said.

The exact circumstances surrounding the alleged assault remain unclear. No official account has yet established what transpired during the teenager’s detention, the nature of the force allegedly used, or whether established procedures governing arrests and detention were followed.

Those unanswered questions have intensified demands for a transparent and independent investigation. Residents insist that only a credible inquiry can establish the facts and determine whether any laws or operational guidelines were violated.

Community members have also called on the state government and relevant security agencies to ensure that the matter is thoroughly investigated and that anyone found culpable is prosecuted.

For many residents, the incident represents more than the death of a single teenager. They argue that it reflects broader concerns about the treatment of civilians during law enforcement operations and underscores the urgent need for professionalism, respect for human rights and stronger oversight of security agencies.

Legal observers note that the outcome of any investigation could significantly influence public confidence in institutions charged with protecting lives and enforcing the law.

Responding to the allegations, the Commandant of the Taraba State Marshal, retired Commissioner of Police Agyole Asenya Abeh, maintained that the agency operates strictly within the law.

He said personnel are regularly instructed to respect the rights of citizens and discharge their responsibilities professionally.

According to him, any operative found to have acted outside the law would be held personally responsible for such conduct, stressing that the alleged incident should not be viewed as representative of the entire agency.

Describing culpable homicide as a grave criminal offence, he noted that the Nigeria Police Force has the statutory responsibility to investigate such allegations.

He also appealed to residents and members of the Marshal Security Guard not to prejudge the matter until investigations are concluded.

As of the time of filing this report, the Nigeria Police Force had not issued an official statement on the incident or confirmed whether any investigation or arrests had been made.

Operatives of the Jesse Division in Ethiope-West Local Government Area of Delta State, alongside community youths have arrested a twenty-eight(28)year old notorious cultist, Oghenebuba Mamatime who has been on the Command’s wanted list for allegedly shooting a victim.

The suspect was arrested on the 2nd of July 2026 along Ujomi road, Jesse Town after shooting the victim on 21/07/2026 at about 1700hrs.

The Police also recovered from the suspect, three (3) locally made pistols and one (1) locally made single-barrelled gun.

Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe confirmed the report in a statement in Warri.

He said, “Acting on a complaint received from one man (name withheld), who stated that he was shot by one Oghenebuba Mamatime, on 21/07/2026 at about 1700hrs, operatives of Jesse Division in a combined effort with some community youths in Jesse, arrested one Oghenebuba Mamatime ‘m’ aged 28yrs, a notorious cultist and member of Eiye Confraternity, who has been on the command wanted list for allegedly shooting the victim on 02/07/2026 along Ujomi Road, Jesse Town.

“Upon arrest of the suspect, three (3) locally made pistols and one (1) locally made single-barrelled gun were recovered from the suspect. 

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect, who is a member of the Eiye confraternity, was unhappy with the victim over his decision to quit cultism, and in a bid to force him into the confraternity, an argument ensued which led to the shooting.

“The suspect is in custody, and investigation is ongoing.”

Meanwhile, CP Yemi Oyeniyi have commended the synergy between operatives of Jesse Division and the community youths in the fight against cultism and other vices. 

He admonished them to maintain the synergy, which should not be limited to cultism but should be extended to drug abuse, kidnapping and other serious crimes in their locality. 

CP Oyeniyi also advised members of the public, particularly the youths, to shun all forms of cult-related activities.