Kano State Police Command has confirmed the death of 11 victims from Wednesday’s Mosque explosion at Laraba Abasawa village, in Gezawa local government area of the state.
No fewer than 24 worshippers were set ablaze in a local mosque in the village while observing their early morning prayers by one Shefiu Abubakar over an inheritance disagreement.
Although six of the 24 who suffered critical burns lost their lives at the Murtala Muhammad Specialists Hospital, the latest rise in the death toll was recorded at 6:00 am Thursday.
Police spokesperson in Kano, SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, said the number of persons so far lost their lives has increased from six to 11 as of 6:00 am Thursday.
The tragic incident occurred during the early morning prayers when unsuspecting faithful converge to worship when the culprit said to have ignited a deposited gallon full of fuel.
SP Kiyawa on Wednesday confirmed the arrest of the suspected perpetrator of the dastardly act.
According to the police spokesman, “We received the reports of an explosion at a Mosque in Gadan Village, Gezawa LGA, Kano State during “Subhi Prayer” and that some people got injured.
“On receipt of the report, the Commissioner of Police, Kano State Command, CP Mohammed Usaini Gumel, FIPMA, psc immediately deployed the command’s combined teams consisting of experts in Explosive Ordnance Disposal Chemical Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (EOD-CBRN) led by CSP Haruna Isma’il and other Crime-Scene Policemen led by Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Gezawa Division, CSP Haruna Iliya.
“On arrival we found 24 persons including 20 Male Adults and 4 Male Children who were removed from the burning mosque with burnt injuries. They were rushed to Murtala Mohammed Specialist Hospital Kano where they are currently receiving treatment.”
SP Kiyawa said after a forensic analysis conducted at the preliminary stage of investigation revealed a suspected petrol explosion of which full investigation ongoing. A principal suspect was identified and arrested.
“He is Shafi’u Abubakar, a 38 years old who confessed to have carried out the action because of a prolong family disagreement over sharing of inheritance,” Kiyawa said.
“He said he decided to set the mosque ablaze after cited those family members who are cheating on him in the mosque.”
