The Kano state Police spokesperson, SP. Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, has revealed how 5 years old Hanifa Abubakar, was abducted and later killed by her private teacher, Abdulmalik Mohammed-Tanko.
In a statement released on Thursday, January 20th, 2022, SP. Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, confirmed that, three (3) suspects have been arrested in connection with the death of the minor. They are: Abdulmalik Mohammed-Tanko, Hashim Isyaku, and one Fatima Musa.
Abdulmalik Mohammed-Tanko, late Hanifa’s private teacher, Hashim Isyaku, and Fatima Musa, his partners in crime.
Police Officer, SP. Kiyawa, confirmed that, Hanifa was actually abducted on the 4th of December, 2021, by the suspected persons, and taken to a hideout where her family was contacted for a ransom of N6 (six) million.
SP. Kiyawa stated:
“In Dec. 4, 2021, at about 20:30 hours, a report was received from a resident of Dakata Quarters, Nassarawa, Kano State, that one Hanifa Abubakar, 5, was kidnapped, and a ransom of N6 million was demanded.”
Police Officer Kiyawa further stated:
“Sustained efforts and prolonged follow up, led to the arrest of Abdulmalik Mohammed-Tanko, 30, and Hashim Isyaku, 37, all of Tudun Murtala quarters, by a detective team of the Department of State Service (DSS)”
“During investigation, Mohammed-Tanko confessed that the victim, Hanifa, was his student at a private school in Kwanar Dakata, Nassarawa, Kano State; and that,
“He kidnapped her, and took her to his house where he contacted her relatives and demanded a ransom of N6 million.”
SP. Kiyawa said Abdulmalik Mohammed-Tanko revealed how he poisoned little Hanifa because she recognized him as her school teacher, and ‘conspired with Hashim Isyaku,’ for her burial.
SP. Kiyawa again stated:
“On Dec. 18, 2021, having realized that the victim recognized him, he claimed to have poisoned her to death.”
“He conspired with Hashim Isyaku, and buried her in a grave located at the private school premises at Kwanar ‘Yan Gana, Tudun Murtala.”
The Police Kano PRO, Kiyawa, also revealed how Hashim Isyaku, the accomplice, had confessed the involvement of one Fatima Musa, 27, in the crime.
Isyaku narrated how sometimes in November, 2021, Fatima Musa, alongside the principal suspect, Abdulmalik Mohammed-Tanko, ordered him to kidnap little Hanifa.
The statement affirmed that, the three (3) kidnappers actually “arranged for the kidnapping, in November,2021, but later rescinded the action.”
However, the three (3) suspects still carried out their nefarious activities, that eventually led to the death of 5 years old Hanifa Abubakar.
27 years old Fatima Musa, according to the Police spokesperson, “has also been arrested in connection with the offense.”
PPRO Kiyawa stated how the suspects, led a combined team of DSS operatives, police command’s medical team, and Operation Puff Adder to the grave, where the little girl was buried.
Kiyawa said,
“The body was exhumed and taken to Mohammed Abdullahi Wase Specialists Hospital, Kano, where it was examined, and later released to the relatives for burial according to Islamic rites.”
SP. Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, affirmed that, “the suspects would be charged to court upon completion of investigation.”
While investigations are ongoing, the Nigerian social media space, is filled with comments, calling for justice for little Hanifa Abubakar under #JusticeForHanifa.
Among those who have added his voice to the barbaric act of the three suspected kidnappers, and killers of little Hanifa, is Senator Shehu Sani, who said,
“Hanifa Abubakar, 5 year old Kano kidnapped, and killed by her school teacher, after collecting ransom. Such a monster must pay the supreme price for such an unspeakable, and horrible evil.”