Update: Man confesses to setting fire on a house which killed couple and their 2-year-old daughter in Kano

The Kano State Police command has arrested a 25-year-old man, Salisu Idris, for allegedly setting fire on a house which killed a couple and their daughter because he was promised the sum of N200, 000.

Spokesperson of the Command, DSP Abdullahi Haruna, who confirmed the arrest, identified the victims as Aminu Bala, 50, his wife, Rukayya, and two-year-old daughter, Aisha.

"The Kano State Police Command wishes to intimate the good people of the State that on the 25/09/2019 at 0300hrs, an official incident report was received that the resident of one Aminu Bala ‘m’ 50yrs old of Gayawa Yamma Village, Ungogo LGA was set ablazed by unknown persons. The victims were removed from the scene to Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital Kano, where Aminu Bala, his wife Ruqayya Bala ‘f’ 30yrs old and their daughter Aisha Bala ‘f’ 2yrs old were confirmed dead.

The suspect, in conspiracy with two others who are now at large, reportedly locked the house before setting it on fire, having confirmed that his targets were inside. The incident occurred last Wednesday September 25. Read here

While parading the suspect before newsmen, the spokesman said that the suspect was tracked down and arrested at his hideout in Minjibir Local Government Area by the operatives of Operation Puff-Adder. He was found with various degree of collateral burns on his body, signifying his clear involvement in the arson attack.

The Victims

Speaking to newsmen, the suspect who sold mobile phones at Farm Centre GSM market, confessed that he was promised the sum of N200,000 by a “business friend” of the deceased, who sells poultry feeds at Sabon Gari market, Kano, to burn him and his family members to death.

“I have never committed such a crime. I was offered N200,000. I did not even know the man. I just accepted the contract through my friend. He just told me that the man is selling poultry feeds at Sabon Gari market and promised to give us the money if we successfully accomplish the mission. I sustained this burns because he asked me to pour petroleum on the building. After he lit the matches, the fire swiftly caught me before we ran away. I did not lock up the doors of the house and I did not see my friend doing so during the attack. I really regret my action. I am pleading for mercy,” the suspect confessed.

The victim

Mr Haruna vowed to nab the man that sponsored the arson and the other suspect within a short period of time, stressing that they would face the wrath of the law.

"The Command therefore call on good citizens of the state to continue cooperating with the Police for timely and prompt rendition of information and intelligence on any form of crime and criminality across the length and breadth of the State for quick and timely response" he added.