The Nigeria Police Force has launched a manhunt for gunmen who killed a couple in Asarara village in Kebbi State, throwing the quiet community into mourning and fear.
The victims, identified as Muhammad Haruna and his wife, Habiba Abubakar, were reportedly attacked and killed inside their home in the early hours of Saturday.
Residents said the incident happened at about 5:30 a.m., when unknown assailants stormed the couple’s residence and carried out the attack. Details surrounding the killings were still unclear as of Saturday evening, while security agencies intensified efforts to identify and arrest those responsible.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson of the Kebbi State Police Command, Bashir Usman, said the police had already begun investigations into the matter.
“As I am talking to you, the bodies are in one of the hospitals in Birnin Kebbi for further investigation and examination to help unravel those behind the act,” Usman said.
He assured residents that security agencies were fully on top of the situation and working to track down the killers.
The police spokesman also appealed to members of the public to support the investigation by providing useful information that could help security operatives identify the attackers.
“We appeal to members of the public to provide any useful information that can assist the police in tracking down those responsible,” he added.
The killings shocked residents of Asarara village, many of whom described the late Muhammad Haruna as a peaceful and easy-going man who had no known conflict with anyone in the community.
One resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the incident came as a surprise because the deceased was known to live quietly and maintain cordial relations with neighbours and members of the community.
“He was a quiet person who lived peacefully with everyone. We are all shocked by what happened because nobody can immediately point to any dispute involving him,” the resident said.
News of the killings quickly spread across the village, drawing sympathisers and mourners to the family compound. Many residents were seen gathered around the area in grief as relatives and neighbours struggled to come to terms with the tragedy.
The couple is survived by six children — four boys and two girls — who have now been left without parents following the attack.
Community members described the deaths as devastating, especially for the children and close relatives of the victims.
The incident has also raised fresh concerns about insecurity in parts of northern Nigeria, where communities continue to face attacks linked to banditry, armed robbery and other violent crimes.
Although Kebbi State has generally recorded fewer violent incidents compared to some neighbouring states in the North-West region, security challenges have remained a concern for residents in rural communities.
In recent years, several states in the North-West have battled growing insecurity caused by armed gangs operating in forests and remote villages. These groups have been linked to killings, kidnappings for ransom, cattle rustling and attacks on communities.
The Federal Government and security agencies have repeatedly pledged to strengthen security operations across the region through increased patrols, intelligence gathering and joint military-police operations.
Residents in many affected communities, however, continue to call for stronger security presence and quicker response to distress situations.
As investigations continue into the Asarara killings, police authorities have urged residents not to take the law into their own hands or spread rumours capable of creating tension in the community.
Community leaders are also said to be working closely with security agencies to ensure calm and assist ongoing investigations.
The killings of Muhammad Haruna and Habiba Abubakar have once again highlighted the human cost of violent crimes in local communities, where families are often left traumatised after sudden attacks.
For many residents of Asarara village, Saturday’s incident will remain a painful memory, especially as neighbours remember the couple as humble people who lived peacefully among them.
The police say further details will be made public as investigations progress and efforts continue to bring the perpetrators to justice.