Kebbi man Sule Gurmu arrested for allegedly murdering his wife in Bayawa; authorities promise justice and court proceedings

The Kebbi State Police Command has arrested Sule Gurmu, the man accused of killing his wife, Umaima Maidawa, in Bayawa, Augie Local Government Area.

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Police spokesperson Bashir Usman confirmed the arrest on Sunday, 18 January 2026, saying Gurmu will be arraigned in court following the investigation.

The incident occurred when Gurmu reportedly struck his 25-year-old wife with the wooden handle of a hoe during a domestic dispute at their residence.

Umaima was confirmed dead shortly after the attack, prompting a swift response by security agencies.

Following the killing, Gurmu fled Bayawa but was tracked down and apprehended on Saturday in Katami town, Silame Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

The arrest followed a directive from the Chairman of Augie Local Government, Yahaya Augie, instructing security forces to ensure the suspect’s immediate detention.

The operation, jointly conducted by the Nigeria Police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, ended the manhunt spanning Kebbi and Sokoto states.

Augie personally visited the crime scene and supervised the transfer of the victim’s body to Argungu General Hospital for autopsy.

Condemning the act as “abhorrent and unacceptable,” Augie affirmed that domestic violence and criminality would not be tolerated in the local government area.

Residents of Bayawa have expressed grief and demanded swift justice, while civil society groups called for increased awareness campaigns against household abuse, particularly in rural communities.

Domestic violence in Nigeria is punishable under state penal codes and the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (VAPP Act), which criminalises abuse and mandates victim-centred protection.

Advocacy groups continue to urge the full implementation of the Act across all states to strengthen accountability.

Hon. Augie praised security personnel for their professionalism and extended condolences to the family of the deceased.

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SP Bashir Usman reiterated that Sule Gurmu will face the full weight of the law once the investigation concludes.