Kano Mosque Attack: Death Toll Rises to 11

Ahmad Sorondinki in Kano

No fewer than eleven persons have been confirmed dead and 25 others hospitalised, after the early morning attack on worshippers at a Mosque in Gezawa local government area of Kano State Wednesday.

This figure was confirmed by the Police Spokesperson SP Abdullahi Kiyawa, on Thursday to kournalists in Kano.

He however, said the figure was still rising.

Earlier, a 38 year old Shafi’u Abubakar, was identified as the prime suspect who lunched an early morning attack on innocent worshipers because of a long-standing family dispute over inheritance sharing.

“The principal suspect have been identified and arrested, he is Shafi’u Abubakar aged 38 years who said his action was purely in hostility following prolonged family disagreement over sharing of inheritance of which those that he alleged to have cheated him were in the Mosque at that moment and he did that for his voice to be heard,” Kiyawa said.

Speaking to newsmen in Kano on Thursday, a local source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said among the casualties, six were adults, a youth and, a minor.

He further stated that 32 persons were involved in the incident and 28 were hospitalised due to various degrees of burns while four others sustained minor injuries.

“As we speak, we are at the graveyard now. Right from when the incident happened till this moment (evening), about eight persons have died.

“We have buried two while six others are being conveyed for burial. The victims were those rushed to Murtala Specialist Hospital.

“Majority of the victims were in the emergency unit of Murtala Specialist Hospital and others in the main ward. However, I was made to understand that some other persons were later taken to Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, AKTH.

“All the worshippers sustained various degrees of burns. In all, the victims are 32 and 28 were admitted in the hospital. Those with minor injuries left for their homes,” he stated.