By BANNERNEWS Reporter, Katsina
Police in Katsina State have arrested a man, Kabir Sani, following the death of his teenage daughter, Ummul Khair, who allegedly died after being beaten for refusing to marry a suitor reportedly chosen by her father.
The suspect, a commercial driver residing in the Shagari Low-Cost area of Katsina metropolis, was arrested by operatives of the Katsina Central Market Police Division shortly after the incident. Police have since launched a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the girl’s death.
Residents said the deceased, believed to be between 16 and 18 years old, had repeatedly resisted attempts by her father to force her into marriage, a dispute that had reportedly caused persistent tension within the family.
Eyewitnesses alleged that the assault began on Wednesday and continued into Thursday morning. Neighbours said they heard the teenager crying throughout the night and repeatedly knocked on the family’s door in a bid to intervene, but were allegedly denied access.
The incident came to light on Thursday morning when some of Ummul Khair’s friends visited the house to accompany her to school. They reportedly found her lifeless as her father was preparing her body for burial and immediately alerted neighbours, who informed the police.
“We heard her crying throughout the night and tried several times to intervene, but her father refused to open the door. By Thursday morning, we learnt she had died. Everyone in the neighbourhood was devastated,” an eyewitness said.
Another resident claimed the teenager had insisted on choosing her own future, while her father remained determined to marry her off to his preferred suitor.
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 as detectives continue their investigation.
The spokesperson for the Katsina State Police Command, DSP Sadik Aliyu, confirmed awareness of the incident but said further details would be released after the ongoing investigation is concluded.
