Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Kaduna State Government has stepped in to assume full responsibility for the welfare and education of the children left behind by Ummulkhairi Usman Aliyu, the Islamic teacher brutally killed by a mob in Maraban Jos, Igabi Local Government Area, on June 21, 2026. Governor Uba Sani made the pledge during a condolence visit to the bereaved family on Saturday, June 27, vowing that the state would not only pursue justice for the slain mother but also ensure that her four children are not abandoned.
Ummulkhairi, a mother of four and an Islamiyya school teacher, was on her way to attend an Islamic lecture when she was accosted by a mob that falsely accused her of attempting to steal children. She was seized, beaten, and set ablaze — despite no missing child being produced to substantiate the allegation. Her husband, Aliyu Muhammad, has since alleged that his wife had sought refuge at a police station after being attacked by the mob but was later returned to the assailants, a claim that has cast a shadow over the conduct of security personnel in the area.
Governor Sani, who was out of the state on official assignment when the murder occurred, said he had dispatched senior government officials to the family immediately after the tragedy. During his visit on Saturday, he met with the deceased’s husband, Malam Aliyu, and other relatives to offer his condolences and outline the government’s response. “I made it unequivocally clear that those responsible for this heinous act will be identified, apprehended, and brought before the law,” the governor said. “We shall pursue every lead with diligence and resolve, and no individual connected to this tragic incident will escape accountability.”
The governor disclosed that security agencies have made significant progress in the investigation. According to him, 41 suspects have been charged with culpable homicide, while 30 others have been arraigned for unlawful assembly. An additional 17 individuals were released after investigations found them not culpable, and 41 others remain under investigation as authorities intensify efforts to apprehend more suspects still at large. Governor Sani also addressed the troubling allegations of police complicity, warning that any officer found to have been directly or indirectly involved in the incident would face the full weight of the law. “A comprehensive investigation remains underway, and any police personnel found to have been directly or indirectly complicit will face the full consequences of the law,” he said.
Beyond the pursuit of justice, the governor made a personal commitment to the grieving family. He announced that the Kaduna State Government would take full responsibility for the education and welfare of Ummulkhairi’s children until they reach adulthood. “We also pledged to Malam Aliyu that the Kaduna State Government will assume responsibility for the education and welfare of the children Ummulkhairi left behind. Our duty extends beyond words; it demands compassion, justice, and steadfast action,” Sani stated. “I will personally stand by this family. The children will not be abandoned.”
The governor’s visit was met with cheers from residents, many of whom lined the streets as his convoy arrived and departed the community. Residents who spoke to Premium Times expressed appreciation for the governor’s empathy and his commitment to ensuring justice. “We are happy that the governor came here himself instead of just sending a message. His visit has given this family hope that justice will be done,” said Hassan Banaga. Another resident, Balkisu Umar, condemned the killing, stating that no one deserved to die in such a manner. “Even if someone is accused of theft, there are police and courts to handle such matters. Those responsible must be punished so that this kind of jungle justice never happens again,” she said.
Amnesty International has called for an independent investigation into the killing, citing concerns that the police cannot be trusted to conduct an unbiased probe given allegations that officers may have handed the victim over to the mob. The incident has sparked widespread condemnation from civil society organisations, religious groups, and community leaders, who have described it as a disturbing case of mob justice that underscores the fragility of the rule of law in parts of the country.
For Malam Aliyu and his children, the governor’s pledge offers a glimmer of hope in the face of an unimaginable loss. As the investigation continues and the legal process unfolds, the people of Maraban Jos are watching closely, hoping that the promise of justice will not be forgotten and that the memory of Ummulkhairi Usman Aliyu will serve as a catalyst for change.
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