The Kebbi State Police Command has arrested Sule Gurmu for the alleged murder of his wife, Umaima Maidawa, in a domestic violence incident in the Bayawa community, Augie Local Government Area.
The PUNCH reports that the 25-year-old victim died on January 13, 2026, after Gurmu reportedly struck her with the wooden handle of a hoe during a dispute at their residence.
Following the killing, Gurmu fled Bayawa but was tracked and apprehended on Saturday in Katami town, Sokoto State, in a joint operation by the police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
The Chairman of Augie Local Government, Yahaya Augie, who earlier visited the crime scene and supervised the transfer of the body to Argungu General Hospital for autopsy, condemned the act as “abhorrent and unacceptable.” He vowed that his administration would not tolerate domestic violence or criminality in the area.
Residents of Bayawa have expressed grief and called for swift justice, while civil society groups in Kebbi have raised concerns over rising domestic assaults, urging increased preventive awareness, especially in rural communities.
Hon. Augie commended security personnel for their professionalism and assured that the suspect would face the full weight of the law. He extended condolences to the victim’s family.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bashir Usman, confirmed the arrest, stating, “Yes, we have arrested the husband, and he will be arraigned in court upon the completion of the investigation.”
