Civil defence official, wife, 4-year-old daughter killed in Kano

[DT]

 An operative of the Nigerian Civil Defence Corps and members of his family were shot dead by gunmen at their in Hotoron Gabas in Kano metropolis yesterday. Also killed by the gunmen was the disabled friend of the family.residence

The officer, who was attached to the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) command of the outfit, his wife and his four-year-old daughter and the friend were killed around 12:15pm by four gunmen, police sources disclosed. Civil Defence officials in Kano gave the officer's name as Inspector Isma'il Hassan and said he had been posted to the MAKIA's intelligence department. Neighbours said his wife was called Aisha and the couple's daughter Khadijah, while the third victim was known as Adam.

Four gunmen riding on two motorcycles arrived at the house located in the crowded neighbourhood at some minutes past 12pm, after which they rounded up the occupants and herded them into one of the rooms inside the bungalow and shot them, Daily Trust was told.

Gunmen had trailed and killed a number of security men in their houses recently, but yesterday's attack was first in which family members of a law enforcement officer were also targeted.

In June this year, Boko Haram sect had claimed responsibility for the killing of a State Security Service (SSS) operative outside his residence, located near the scene of yesterday's attack.

No group, however, has yet claimed responsibility for yesterday's killing, which sparked fears among residents and sent neighbours fleeing.

The family was inside the home when four gunmen dashed into the compound in a commando style and executed them, including Adam, a disable and student of Federal College of Education in Kano, said a source close to the civil defence corps.

"The attack lasted only few minutes," said the officer who does not want to be named. "They did not waste much time, perhaps because they feared we were going to be on their trail. After shooting everybody dead, they came out and fled on their motorcycles", he said.



Daily Trust