A Kano-based lawyer, Abba Hikima, has handed over N25.2million raised through a five-day crowdfunding campaign to Malam Bashir Haruna, the widower whose wife and six children were brutally murdered in Dorayi Chiranchi Quarters of Kano State last Saturday.

The crowdfunding campaign was coordinated through his Facebook page and was initiated following appeals from concerned members of the public. According to Hikima, the initiative came after an earlier post in which he called on the government and wealthy individuals to assist the bereaved husband and father, whom he noted was not financially buoyant.

Hikima announced the handover of the money to beneficiary via his Facebook page yesterday.

“Alhamdulillah. Within these past few days, we raised a total of N25 million, which was deposited into my account. Today, six days after the demise, I transferred this entrusted fund directly into the bank account of Malam Haruna Bashir,” Hikima wrote.

Explaining the transparency measures taken, Hikima said, “I provided him with a copy of my bank statement, after which we proceeded to his bank to secure the account in order to safeguard the money until things stabilise.”

He further disclosed that N3.4 million of the total sum was contributed by another individual who engineered a similar campaign and mobilised donations from members of the public. “Out of the total amount, N3,400,000 was contributed by Engr. Usman Ahmad Zun-Noorayne,” he added.

Hikima noted that the transfer was completed on Friday due to the absence of banking services on Saturday. “The funds were transferred today due to the lack of banking operations tomorrow, Saturday,” he said, referencing his earlier promise to hand over the money on the day of the seventh-day prayer for the deceased.

To ensure accountability, Hikima attached photographs of the handover process to his post. Hikima concluded by praying for the donors, saying, “May Allah reward everyone with goodness. May He protect this wealth for him and bless it. Ameen.”

The killing of the family of seven in Dorayi Chiranchi area of Kano has sparked widespread outrage and sympathy across Kano and beyond, leading to a surge in public support for the bereaved husband and father.

Kano State governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, had also approved the sponsorship of the bereaved father for Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages alongside a new house and full welfare support as part of efforts to rehabilitate him after the devastating loss.