Murder Of BUK Student: Kano Police Command Arrests Four

By Ayodele Oni

Four days after a 300 level student was hacked to death, Kano State Police Command has announced the arrest of four suspects in connection with the incident.

The 300-level Sociology student of Bayero University, Kano (BUK), Abdullahi Umar Hafizi, was hacked to death while trying to prevent his phone from being snatched.

The incident happened at  Tsamiyar Kuturu, Dorayi Karama quarters, Gwale local government area of the state.

The student was reportedly stabbed to death by suspected phone snatchers at about 11:00 p.m. on Monday, August 4, 2025.

The spokesperson of the command, SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, who disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, explained that the arrest was made possible through a coordinated joint operation involving officers from the Department of Operations, Dorayi Babba Division, Sharada Division, Kumbotso Division, and other tactical teams.

The PPRO said cutlasses and other dangerous weapons were recovered from the suspects.

“The suspects, all of different addresses within the Dorayi Karama area, were apprehended following a directive by the Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, PhD, who gave a 24-hour ultimatum to fish out the perpetrators of the heinous crime.

“During the raid, cutlasses, a pair of scissors, and other dangerous weapons were recovered from the suspects. Investigation is ongoing to arrest other fleeing suspects.

“The Kano State Police Command, while commiserating with the family of the deceased, commends the officers involved in the operation for their professionalism and diligence.

“We assure the public of our commitment to maintaining law and order and bringing perpetrators of crimes to justice.

Meanwhile, the Management of Bayero University, Kano (BUK) has expressed deep sadness over the tragic death of Umar Abdullahi Hafizi, a Level 300 student in the Department of Sociology, who was stabbed to death by phone snatchers at his residence at Dorayi Quarters in Gwale Local Government Area around 11:00 p.m.

In a condolence message, the University extended heartfelt sympathies to the family, friends, and colleagues of the deceased, describing his death as a painful loss to the University community.While the unfortunate incident occurred outside the University premises, the Management has reiterated its commitment to the safety and well-being of all students.

A statement issued by the University’s Director of public affairs, Lamara Garba Azare, said Bayero University Kano prays for the repose of the soul of Umar Abdullahi Hafizi and for the Almighty to grant his family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

“The Vice-Chancellor Professor Sagir Adamu Abbas, on behalf of the Management, assured the University community that BUK is working closely with security agencies to ensure that those responsible for this heinous act are apprehended and made to face the full wrath of the law.

“As part of its immediate response, the University Management has conveyed the deceased to his hometown in Zaria, Kaduna State, and buried according to Islamic rites.

“The Management calls on students to remain calm and vigilant and urge members of the public to cooperate with security operatives by providing any useful information that could assist in the ongoing investigation.”