By Sabiu Abdullahi
A young businessman, Isma’il Makaye, has died under circumstances that are yet to be clarified at the residence of his girlfriend, a popular TikToker known as Fati Cele, in Danbare area of Kumbotso Local Government Area of Kano State.
Reports indicated that the deceased, who sold cosmetics in the Hotoro Tishanma area, died in the early hours of Friday. The incident has prompted a police investigation into the cause of his death.
A friend of the deceased, Hassan Mohammed, who visited the scene alongside police officers, said Makaye was already dead before they arrived at the house.
“We met him already dead when we got there with the police. We first went to Murtala Hospital and later to Abdullahi Wase, where his death was confirmed,” Hassan said, as quoted by the Daily Trust.
He explained that the body was initially taken to Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital before it was later transferred to Muhammad Abdullahi Wase Teaching Hospital, where doctors officially confirmed the death.
Hassan also disclosed that Makaye and Fati Cele had been in a relationship for more than two years before they separated temporarily after the deceased got married. He said they later reconciled.
According to him, the deceased’s phones and car keys were recovered at the residence.
He further alleged that Makaye had injuries on his head. He added that traces of blood were still visible during the burial.
“There were injuries on his head, and we suspected he may have been hit with something,” he said.
Makaye was buried on Friday at Unguwa Uku Yan Awaki in accordance with Islamic rites.
The incident has continued to attract reactions on social media, especially on TikTok, where several users called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.
Fati Cele, who hails from Borno State, is known for posting TikTok content and solo dance performances in Kano’s Sabon Gari area.
As of the time of filing this report, the spokesperson of the Kano State Police Command, SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, did not respond to telephone calls seeking official comments.
The police have not issued any formal statement on the matter, while investigations remain ongoing.
