KANO – The blast from the mosque sounded like a bomb, but it was not an improvised device or a detonated nuclear weapon.
Thirty-eight-year old Shafi’u Abubakar had sprayed the mosque with petrol, locked its doors and ignited a deposited gallon filled with fuel.
Thirty-two persons were in the mosque located in Gezawa Local Government Area of Kano State, observing their early morning prayers on Wednesday when Abubakar set the holy place ablaze.
The culprit had timed and struck as the worshippers were bowing down and praying to Allah (God). They had neither a threat signal nor a premonition of an attack on them. So, with the doors already locked, they could only grope helplessly when the flames of fire and smoke engulfed the mosque.
By the time neighbours and passersby rushed to the scene of the blast, six persons had died; a figure that rose to 15 by yesterday. About 17 others who inhaled large amounts of smoke and sustained serious degrees of burns were hospitalised at Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital.
Some of the other victims are receiving treatment at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital. It was difficult speaking to them because of the intensity of their health conditions.
Police spokesperson of the Kano Command, Abdullahi Kiyawa, confirmed the tragic incident to newsmen.
“The suspect said he decided to set the mosque ablaze after he cited family members who were cheating on him praying in the mosque,” Kiyawa added.
The dead have been buried.
An eyewitness said among those who lost their lives were six adults, a youth and four minors.
Police have since arrested Shafi’u Abubakar – the man behind the dastardly act. The culprit confessed that he set the mosque ablaze because of “a prolonged family disagreement over sharing of inheritance.”
Assistant Inspector General of Police, Umar Sanda, who is in charge of the case, has visited the injured at the hospitals. He confirmed that the incident has nothing to do with terrorism.
“What happened is not associated with any act of terrorism. Rather, it was a skirmish that happened as a result of inheritance distribution.
“The suspect was said not to be satisfied with the distribution and was reacting to that. He is presently with us and is giving out useful information,” he said.
According to Sanda, the perpetrator used a locally made bomb to commit the crime.
The Emir of Gaya, Alhaji Aliyu Abdulkadir, on Friday donated N3 million to alleviate the predicaments of the victims. He made the donation during a visit to Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, Kano, where the injured are receiving treatment.
The monarch said: “Our thoughts and prayers remain with the victims and their families during this difficult time.
“Gaya Emirate will provide all the necessary support to ensure a full and speedy recovery for those who were injured.”
He expressed his deepest condolences to the families of the deceased while offering words of comfort to those recuperating from their injuries.
