The Kano State Police Command has arrested two suspects in connection with the killing of a popular political commentator, Ibrahim Khalil Danshagamu, who was allegedly attacked with sharp objects at his residence in Gaida Quarters, Kumbotso Local Government Area of the state.
The command disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday by its Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori.
According to the statement, the incident occurred on Monday at about 11:30pm after the police received a distress call from the Commander of the Gaida Vigilante Group, reporting that unknown hoodlums had forcibly entered Danshagamu’s residence and attacked him.
“Operatives of the Kumbotso Police Division promptly responded to the scene and rushed the victim to Murtala Mohammed Specialists Hospital, Kano, where he was confirmed dead on arrival by a medical doctor,” the statement said.
The killing has sparked condemnation from opposition politicians, rights groups and other stakeholders, who called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the commentator’s death.
Former Kano State Governor and opposition politician, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, said in a post on X on Wednesday that Danshagamu’s body was found in a pool of blood at his residence.
Kwankwaso described the incident as a “horrific attack” and called on the Kano State Government to constitute an investigative panel to probe the killing and ensure that those responsible were brought to justice.
Amnesty International Nigeria also condemned the killing, stressing the need for authorities to protect outspoken individuals and critics in a democratic society.
“In a democracy, outspoken persons or critics are accommodated, listened to, not killed,” the organisation said.
Similarly, the Kano State Chairman of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Husaini Mai Riga, described the killing as “deeply disturbing and unacceptable.”
Mai Riga said the incident posed a serious threat to press freedom, public safety and democratic values in the state.
The police said the arrest of the two suspects followed an intelligence-led operation carried out by the Kumbotso Divisional Police Officer in collaboration with tactical units of the command and community stakeholders.
“The suspects are currently in custody undergoing interrogation. The Command has intensified efforts to apprehend any other persons who may be connected to the crime,” the statement said.
The command added that statements were being obtained from relevant persons, while forensic procedures were ongoing to determine the circumstances and motive behind the attack.
The Commissioner of Police expressed concern over the incident and sympathised with the deceased’s family, assuring residents that the command would pursue the investigation to a logical conclusion.
“The Kano State Police Command will not relent in its mandate to protect lives and property. We assure the good people of Kano that justice will be pursued to its logical conclusion,” Bakori stated.
The command also commended the Gaida Vigilante Group for promptly alerting the police, describing the response as an example of the importance of community cooperation in crime prevention.
Kiyawa said the investigation remained ongoing and urged residents to remain vigilant and provide credible information to the police.
“Investigation into the incident is ongoing, and the suspects will be charged to court upon its conclusion,” he said.
Meanwhile, the command said additional patrols and intelligence-gathering operations had been deployed in Gaida and neighbouring communities to maintain law and order and prevent any breakdown of peace.