[Kano State High Court](https://kanojudiciary.gov.ng) has placed three accused individuals in custody following charges of kidnapping and murdering a boy in Gobirawa village, [Rano Local Government Area](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rano_Local_Government_Area), with the next hearing scheduled for 4 December 2026.
The defendants – Hajara Sani, Hayatullah Armayau and Jibin Ado – were arraigned on counts of criminal conspiracy, kidnapping and culpable homicide. All three entered not‑guilty pleas when the charges were read. Prosecution counsel Barrister Lamido Abba Soran Dinki, assisted by Barrister Iliyasu Ibrahim, presented the case before the bench.
**What did the prosecution allege?**
The prosecution maintains that Hajara Sani, who was employed in the victim’s family home, abducted the child, Aliyu Haidar, and handed him over to Hayatullah Armayau and Jibin Ado. The latter two allegedly demanded a ransom of N2 million. When the family failed to meet the demand, the accused are said to have killed the boy.
**What is the next step in the case?**
The court ordered the three suspects to remain in remand and adjourned the matter until 4 December 2026 for the hearing of witnesses. The date will allow the prosecution to call its witnesses and the defence to prepare its case.
Kidnapping for ransom continues to be a security challenge in northern Nigeria. Authorities frequently report similar incidents, prompting the Kano State Police Command to pledge intensified investigations. The judiciary has repeatedly emphasized the need for swift prosecution to deter future crimes and reassure the public of the rule of law.
The case underscores the broader effort by law‑enforcement agencies and the courts in Kano State to combat violent crime and protect vulnerable members of the community.