Residents of Gaida in Kano State were thrown into mourning and confusion after the body of a famous commentator and critic in the state, Ibrahim Khalil Dan Shagamu, was found in a pool of his own blood.
The death did not come as a complete surprise, as the late commentator had, in several videos he posted online and seen by DAILY POST, claimed that some people were after his life.
In one of the videos, he accused his neighbours’ children of ganging up against him, alleging that their parents knew about it but remained silent.
He said: “One of my neighbour’s sons asked me for sadaka (alms). I do give the children sweets sometimes, and I told him I don’t have any now, but I will get some later. The little boy insulted me.
“Later, his older brother asked for the same thing, and I told him I do not have any sweets on me at the moment.”
The late commentator added that he later received death threats from some of the boys in the area, alleging that their parents had refused to act.
He also claimed that some of the boys pelted his home with stones and broke his television.
Dan Shagamu said even the traditional leaders in his community had failed to address the threats, forcing him to call on the police and the Kano Emir to intervene.
Dan Shagamu a fierce critic
In 2022, Ibrahim Khalil Dan Shagamu was arrested and arraigned before a court in Kano for alleged defamation of former Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. General Tukur Yusuf Buratai (rtd.).
Dan Shagamu had posted a video accusing Buratai of building over 60 filling stations in Kano from the proceeds of an arms deal.
He was remanded by a High Court presided over by Justice Halima A.B. Wali, who sent him to a psychiatrist to determine whether he was mentally fit when he shared the video.
Aside from that, the late Dan Shagamu had been outspoken against the APC-led administration. He was also at loggerheads with some members of the Izala group, as he alleged in one of his videos.
Family found Dan Shagamu in pool of blood
Speaking to news reporters, including a DAILY POST correspondent in Kano, one of his sisters, Malama Halima, described the incident as gruesome.
She said, “He had alleged that some people were after his life, so he stopped sleeping at home. He stayed with a friend and avoided anywhere where he sensed a threat.
“Some people came to him, trying to take him away in the name of a palliative by Bola Tinubu. They later asked him to go to a place opposite Sahad where he would get a cod. But he was sceptical about it, so he did not go.”
She said that after a while, his friend went to the house where they stayed but found it locked.
According to her, the friend left for where they normally ate noodles and eggs. He later returned to the house the following day and still found it locked before calling the police.
She said her brother’s eyes were knocked in, his head was severed, and he was tightly wrapped in one of his blankets, which absorbed the blood gushing from the wound.
Muhammad Hizbullah Kabiru, the late critic’s nephew, told newsmen that they arrived at the residence after taking directions.
“When we got there with the police, we jumped over the house. We found him dead with his head almost severed completely. Only the last bone was attached,” he said.
Kano govt, police respond
Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, through a statement by his aide, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, responded to the incident.
In the statement, the governor urged the people of Kano State to remain calm and avoid taking the law into their own hands, assuring them that the government would continue to work with security agencies to protect lives and property across the state.
He also directed the DSS and other security agencies to ensure that the perpetrators were apprehended.
However, the Kano State Police Command said it had arrested two people in connection with the murder.
CSP Kiyawa said: “The suspects are currently in custody undergoing interrogation. The Command has intensified efforts to apprehend any other persons who may be connected to the crime. Statements are being obtained, and forensic procedures are ongoing to establish the full facts and motive behind the attack.”
The police said investigations were ongoing and that the suspects would be taken to court after the investigation was completed.
How we found our brother, Dan Shagamu dead – Family of famous Kano commentator