In the quiet neighborhood of Unguwa Uku, located in the Tauranin Local Government Area of Kano State, a tragic incident unfolded, leaving a community in shock and authorities grappling with the complexities of a harrowing crime. At the center of this grim narrative is Hafsat Surajo, a 24-year-old housewife, who now finds herself in police custody for the alleged murder of Nafiu Hafiz.
The news broke through a statement by SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, the spokesperson of the Kano State Police Command, on Friday, December 22, 2023. According to Kiyawa, Hafiz met his untimely demise when he intervened to prevent Surajo from taking her own life. In the chaos that ensued, Surajo, overwhelmed by desperation or perhaps driven by a momentary lapse in reason, reportedly stabbed Hafiz multiple times with a knife.
The revelation of this tragic incident came to light when Hafizu Salisu in Bauchi received a distressing phone call on December 21, 2023. The caller, Dayyabu Abdullahi, residing in Unguwa Uku Quarters, Kano, informed Salisu about the death of his brother, Nafiu Hafiz. Urged to come and retrieve the body for burial, Salisu and others made their way to the residence.
Upon arrival at Unguwa Uku Quarters, the somber gathering was confronted with a gruesome scene. The lifeless body of Hafiz bore visible injuries, suspected to be the result of knife stabs. Alarmed by the nature of the discovery, Hafizu Salisu wasted no time in reporting the incident to the authorities.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Mohammed Usaini Gumel, swiftly responded by directing the Divisional Police Officer, SP Abubakar Chika Zaki of the Zaria Road Division, to lead a team of detectives to conduct a preliminary investigation. The primary objective was to unravel the circumstances surrounding Hafiz’s death and bring those responsible to justice.
As the crime scene was carefully examined, it became evident that this was not a straightforward case. Further complicating matters, the motionless body was transported to Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, where a medical doctor officially declared Hafiz deceased. The gravity of the situation deepened as investigators probed into the events leading to the tragedy.
In a shocking turn of events, the spotlight shifted to Hafsat Surajo, the wife of the deceased. During interrogation at the Command’s Criminal Investigation Department, Surajo reportedly confessed to the heinous act. She admitted to singlehandedly stabbing Hafiz on multiple parts of his body with a knife. The motive, as disclosed by Surajo, was that Hafiz had attempted to thwart her own suicide.
The unfolding details of the case took an even darker turn with the arrest of Hafsat’s husband, Dayyabu Abdullahi, aged 38, and their gateman, Mallam Adam, aged 65. The allegation against them was not one of direct involvement in the act but of actively participating in the packaging and concealing of Hafiz’s lifeless body. The motive behind their actions remains a critical piece of the puzzle that investigators are diligently piecing together.
In the course of discreet investigation, the murder weapon – the knife used by Hafsat Surajo – was recovered. The presence of bloodstains on the knife further corroborated the chilling account provided by the suspect. As the investigation progresses, it is expected that a comprehensive case file will be built, outlining the sequence of events leading to Nafiu Hafiz’s tragic demise.
The Kano State Police Command, committed to upholding justice and ensuring that the perpetrators face the full weight of the law, announced its intention to charge Hafsat Surajo in court once the investigation is concluded. The legal proceedings that follow will provide an avenue for a meticulous examination of the evidence and testimonies, shedding light on the circumstances that led to this distressing incident.
As the community of Unguwa Uku grapples with the shockwaves of this tragedy, friends and acquaintances of Nafiu Hafiz have begun to express their grief through tributes. These poignant messages serve as a stark reminder of the human cost of such incidents and the profound impact they have on the lives of those left behind.
The intricate web of relationships, emotions, and circumstances surrounding this case paints a complex picture of human frailty and the consequences of actions taken in moments of extreme distress. While the wheels of justice turn, the community remains on edge, grappling with the aftermath of an event that has shaken the foundations of their collective sense of security and well-being.
In the days and weeks to come, the courtroom will become the stage where the pursuit of justice unfolds. The narrative will shift from the initial shock of the crime scene to a meticulous examination of the facts, as legal professionals seek to untangle the motivations and responsibilities of those involved. The tragic tale of Hafsat Surajo and Nafiu Hafiz serves as a stark reminder of the complexities inherent in the human experience and the profound consequences of actions taken in moments of despair.
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