A 26-year-old man named Nura Mas’ud has been arrested by the Jigawa State Police Command for the alleged murder of his grandmother, Zuwaira Muhammad, aged 60.
The harrowing incident took place in Mu’azu village, Dan Gwanki ward, Sule Tankarkar Local Government Area, on October 8, 2024.
The police were alerted to the tragic situation around 4:00 PM on that fateful day.
According to the command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Lawan Adam, “That one Nura Mas’ud, 26, of Mu’azu village, Sule Tankarkar LGA, went to his family house with a petrol canister and poured it on his grandmother, Zuwaira Muhammad, of the same address, and set her ablaze.”
The elderly woman suffered severe injuries and, unfortunately, succumbed to her wounds while receiving treatment at a local hospital.
Following her death, which was certified by an on-call medical doctor, her body was released to her relatives for burial in accordance with Islamic rites.
The police quickly mobilized a team of detectives from the Sule Tankarkar Division, who apprehended Mas’ud shortly after the incident.
“He was later taken to the State Criminal Investigation Department for a discreet investigation. During the interrogation, the suspect admitted to committing the alleged offence against him,” Adam stated.
As the investigation unfolded, it was revealed that Mas’ud has a history of mental illness and had previously been treated at Kazaure Psychiatric Hospital.
According to Adam, “The suspect further stated that the late grandmother upset him by expressing concern about his physical appearance and health, which he did not want.
He warned her on several occasions but she refused. Thus, he purchased gasoline, poured and ignited her.”
In light of the chilling nature of the crime, the state Commissioner of Police, A.T. Abdullahi, has ordered the State Criminal Investigation Department to conduct a thorough investigation.
“Ensure the suspect is prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to others,” he emphasized, underscoring the need for justice in this tragic case.
