Death toll in Kano mosque attack hits 17, Tinubu mourns
Illustration image: Gunmen
A total of 17 out of the 25 victims of the Gadan village mosque attack have so far lost their lives, with eight others still receiving treatment at the hospital.
The Kano State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abdullahi Haruna, who confirmed the casualty figure to PUNCH Online on Tuesday, said two more victims died while receiving treatment at the hospital.
“Sixteen of the victims that died were among the 24 brought to Murtala Mohammed Specialist Hospital while the remaining victim who died was taken to Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital by his relatives.
“We have been quoting 24 as the total victims but the actual number of those involved was 25 including the one that died at AKTH,” Haruna said.
Meanwhile, an Upper Shari’a Court sitting in Rijiyar Zaki, Kano, had on Monday ordered the remand of the 38-year-old man, Shafi’u Abubakar, who allegedly set ablaze the Gadan village mosque in a Correctional Centre.
The court subsequently adjourned the matter till May 31, 2024 for a hearing.
The defendant, who lives at Gadan Village in Gezawa Local Government Area of Kano State, was charged with grievous hurt and culpable homicide.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has condoled with the Government and people of Kano State over the incident.
Tinubu’s condolence message is contained in a statement signed on Tuesday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Ajuri Ngelale, titled ‘President Tinubu mourns victims of Kano mosque fire incident.’
The incident happened on May 15 after a man set fire to a mosque with nearly 40 worshippers inside, the Kano State police command said.
The 38-year-old reportedly set the mosque on fire after spraying it with petrol and locking its doors.
While announcing the arrest of the suspect, the police said the motive for the attack was a family dispute over the sharing of inheritance.
Reacting to the incident, the Presidency said Tinubu “condemns the act of arson, which led to this tragic development, and directs law enforcement agencies to ensure diligent investigation and prosecution of suspects.”
He commiserated with the bereaved families and all those affected and prayed for quick recovery for the wounded.
