The Kano State Police Command has launched a full investigation after two women were burnt alive in their home in Tudun Yola, Gwale Local Government Area.
The victims were co-wives, and their attackers struck on Thursday afternoon while their husband was away from home.
The police confirmed the case on Friday.
Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, the police spokesperson, said officers recovered two mobile phones believed to belong to the suspects.
He refused to give further details, saying more information could harm the ongoing investigation.
He added that early findings showed that the senior wife was injured before being set on fire.
Family members said the attackers entered the compound around 12:30 p.m. They remained inside for hours without raising suspicion.
CCTV footage from a neighbouring house reportedly captured their arrival.
The footage has become an important tool in the ongoing investigation.
Anas Sha’aibu, a son of the senior wife, said he was at home later in the evening when his father called and asked him to rush to the family house because of a fire.
He said what they met was far more shocking than a simple fire outbreak.
He said the junior wife was already burning when they arrived. He added that his mother locked herself in the bathroom, likely while trying to escape the flames.
When the family forced the bathroom door open, they found her dead. Her room had also been set on fire, and the flames were pushed into the bathroom through the ventilation opening.
Sha’aibu said one of the younger children returned home earlier after sunset but found the door locked from inside.
After knocking several times without a response, the child called their father.
The father then alerted the older children, who rushed to the scene.
He said the family first suspected an electrical fault or an accidental fire. But they changed their minds after checking the rooms. They found a jerrycan of petrol inside the house.
They also found a generator that had been tampered with. Fuel was splashed across the junior wife’s bed and other furniture.
He said the junior wife’s mattress was completely burnt. The burn pattern suggested a deliberate act.
He added that the level of destruction made it clear that the attackers planned the crime carefully and spent time inside the home.
Residents of Tudun Yola are in shock. The killings have created fear across the community.
Many residents said they have never seen such a brutal attack in the area. Police said officers are working with local vigilantes and intelligence units to track down the killers.
The command urged the public to report suspicious movements or information that could help the investigation.
The police promised to bring the attackers to justice.