Authorities in Jigawa State have arrested a 40-year-old man, Iliyasu Musa, who stands accused of brutally murdering his ex-wife, 30-year-old Hadiza Sale, in a chilling act of domestic violence that has shaken residents of the Afasha Village in Aujara District.
The arrest was announced by the Public Relations Officer of the Jigawa State Police Command, Superintendent Shi’isu Adam, in an official statement issued on Thursday, July 24, 2025. According to the police, Musa had been on the run since committing the crime on July 10, 2025, and was placed on the command’s wanted list as officers launched a manhunt to bring him to justice.
Investigations reveal that on the night of the incident, Musa allegedly laid in wait for his former wife near her home, fully prepared to carry out the attack. Hadiza was returning from the market late at night when the suspect ambushed her and struck her forcefully on the head with a wooden stick. The impact of the blow left her fatally injured, and she died at the scene before help could arrive.
The motive for the gruesome act is still under investigation, though preliminary reports suggest lingering resentment and unresolved issues from their previous relationship may have played a role. The tragic event has raised renewed concerns over the dangers of intimate partner violence, particularly in rural communities where women are often left vulnerable.
One of the most heartbreaking aspects of the case is that the couple had six children together. With the death of their mother and the arrest of their father, the children now face an uncertain future. Community members and local authorities have expressed concern for the welfare of the minors and have called for immediate intervention from social services and humanitarian organizations to ensure they are cared for.
After evading capture for nearly two weeks, Musa was finally apprehended on Tuesday, July 23, 2025, at around 3:00 p.m. He was located in Larabar-Tambarin-Gwani village, where he had been hiding since fleeing the crime scene. His arrest followed a painstaking investigation and an intelligence-driven surveillance operation carried out by officers of the Aujara Divisional Police Headquarters.
“The suspect had been actively evading arrest since July 10, but through intelligence-led operations and tactical deployment, we successfully tracked him to his hideout and arrested him without incident,” SP Shi’isu stated in the press release.
The suspect has since been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Dutse, the capital of Jigawa State. According to the police, he is currently undergoing intensive interrogation. Authorities have assured the public that he will be prosecuted in accordance with the law once investigations are concluded.
“The case is now in the hands of the SCID, and the suspect will be arraigned before a competent court of law to face charges of culpable homicide,” the PPRO confirmed.
The incident has generated widespread outrage across the state, with many civil society groups and women’s rights advocates demanding justice for the slain woman. Some have also called on the government to strengthen efforts toward protecting women from domestic and gender-based violence, as well as ensure that victims and their families receive adequate support.
As the investigation continues, the Jigawa State Police Command has reassured residents of its commitment to ensuring justice is served and to maintaining law and order across the state.