Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Kano State Police Command has arrested and detained a popular TikTok personality, Fati Cele, following the death of her boyfriend, Isma'il Makaye, at her residence in the Danbare area of Kano, under circumstances that are currently under investigation.
Fati Cele, a native of Borno State who resides in a rented apartment in the Danbare area of Kumbotso Local Government Area, commands a sizeable following on TikTok, where she has amassed over 32,000 followers. The incident occurred in the early hours of Friday, June 19, 2026, when Cele reportedly emerged from her residence screaming about a fire, prompting neighbours to rush to the scene.
"When people entered the house, they found Isma'il with burn injuries and traces of blood on his body," a source close to the deceased alleged. The victim was rushed to Nassarawa Hospital for emergency treatment, but efforts to save his life were unsuccessful. Makaye was later taken to Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital before being referred to Muhammad Abdullahi Wase Teaching Hospital, where his death was officially confirmed.
Makaye, a cosmetics trader who lived in the Hotoro Tishama area of Kano, was buried on Friday at Unguwa Uku Yan Awaki according to Islamic rites, after his remains were released to his family for burial. According to a friend of the deceased, Hassan Mohammed, Makaye sustained injuries on his head, and there were signs of bleeding even at the time of his burial. "There were injuries on his head, and we suspected he may have been hit with something," Mohammed told Daily Trust.
Friends of the deceased and acquaintances of the TikTok personality told reporters in Kano that the couple had experienced relationship challenges in the past and had reportedly separated before recently reconciling. According to Hassan Mohammed, Makaye and Fati Cele had been in a relationship for over two years, but temporarily separated when the deceased got married, before they later reconciled. Makaye's phones and car keys were found at the scene.
The Kano State Police Command's Public Relations Officer, CSP Abdullahi Haruna, confirmed the development to The PUNCH via a WhatsApp message on Saturday. Haruna, however, declined to provide further details, saying investigations were ongoing. "Yes, it's true, the TikToker is currently being detained over the death of her boyfriend, Isma'il Makaye," he said. Officers from the Dorayi Babba Police Division subsequently took Cele into custody as part of an ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The incident has continued to generate reactions on social media, particularly on TikTok, where users have called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death. As of the time of filing this report, police authorities had yet to issue an official statement regarding the circumstances surrounding the death or the status of the investigation. Police are expected to provide further details as inquiries into the incident continue.
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