Katsina Police Investigate Alleged Killing of Teenager by Father Over Forced Marriage
The Katsina State Police Command has launched an investigation into the alleged killing of a teenage girl, Ummul Khair, who reportedly died after being assaulted by her father over her refusal to enter into a forced marriage.
The suspect, identified as Kabir Sani, a commercial driver and resident of the Shagari Low-Cost area of Katsina metropolis, was arrested by officers of the Katsina Central Market Police Division shortly after the incident.
According to residents, the teenager, believed to be between 16 and 18 years old, had repeatedly resisted her father’s attempts to marry her to a suitor of his choice, leading to prolonged tension within the family.
Witnesses alleged that the father began assaulting the girl on Wednesday, July 29, 2026.
Neighbours said they heard her cries throughout the night and made several attempts to intervene but were allegedly prevented from entering the house.
The assault reportedly continued until Thursday morning, when the teenager became unconscious.
The incident came to light after some of the deceased’s friends visited the house on Thursday morning to accompany her to school. They reportedly found her lifeless as her father was preparing to bury her and immediately alerted neighbours, who contacted the police.
A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the neighbourhood was devastated by the incident.
Another resident alleged that the teenager had insisted on making her own marital decisions, while her father remained determined to arrange her marriage.
The deceased was buried on Thursday at the Abbatoir Cemetery in Katsina metropolis in accordance with Islamic rites.
Police sources confirmed that the suspect remains in custody at the Katsina Central Market Police Division while detectives continue investigations into the circumstances surrounding the teenager’s death.
The spokesperson for the Katsina State Police Command, DSP Sadik Aliyu, confirmed awareness of the incident and said further details would be made available after the ongoing investigation is concluded.
