KANO, Nigeria — A quiet community in Dandinshe Yamma Quarters, Dala Local Government Area of Kano State, has been plunged into mourning following the death of a 14-year-old girl, Fatima Sulaiman, who was discovered hanging inside her family’s home on Saturday evening.
Relatives, neighbours, and community members gathered in disbelief at the family house, struggling to come to terms with the shocking incident.
Fatima’s mother, Mallama Madina Inuwa Makwalla, recounted her daughter’s final moments.
“On Saturday evening, we planned to visit one of our relatives admitted at a nearby hospital. As we were about to leave, Fatima told me she wanted to use the toilet and that she would join us shortly. I didn’t know that would be the last time I would see her alive,” she said tearfully.
When the family returned from the hospital, they found the main gate locked from inside. Efforts to unlock it with a spare key failed.
Fatima’s father, Mallam Sulaiman, who had just returned from the market, scaled the fence to gain access.
What he found inside would change his life forever.
“He met our daughter hanging by the window, lifeless. He was shocked and immediately called me. That was how we raised the alarm, and neighbors rushed to our house,” Mallama Madina recalled.
Some residents expressed suspicion over the circumstances of Fatima’s death, suggesting possible foul play.
They claimed the condition of her body raised questions about whether her neck had been broken before she was hanged.
The bereaved father confirmed that the police were immediately contacted.
Officers moved Fatima’s body to Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, where medical personnel confirmed she was dead on arrival.
“We leave everything to Almighty Allah. We pray that God exposes those behind this crime,” he said.
The Kano State Police Command confirmed the case.
Spokesman SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa said: “We received a distress call and immediately dispatched our men to the scene. The body of the deceased was taken to the hospital where she was confirmed dead. We have opened a full investigation to determine the actual cause of death and ensure that justice is served.”
He assured the public that investigators would “leave no stone unturned” in uncovering the truth.
Fatima, described by neighbours as calm, respectful, and generous, has since been buried according to Islamic rites.
Hundreds of mourners attended her funeral, paying their last respects to the teenager whose death has shaken the community.
