A Nigerian man, identified as Shafi’u Abubakar, aged 38 has explained why he set a mosque on fire in Laraba Abasawa, Gezawa local government area of Kano state.
DAILY GIST reported earlier that the incident occurred on Wednesday morning.
Rescued victims were swiftly taken to the Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital in Kano for treatment.
Not fewer than eight worshippers have been confirmed dead, following the attack launched by an arsonist on the mosque.
About 24 other worshippers were said to have seriously injured.
In a statement issued by SP Haruna Kiyawa, the State Police Command’s spokesperson, Shafi’u voluntarily surrendered to the police after committing the act.
According to the police, Shafi’u admitted to setting the mosque on fire out of provocation, aiming to confront those he believed had cheated him during a family inheritance dispute.
These individuals were reportedly present in the mosque at the time of the attack.
While Shafi’u is currently in police custody, investigations are ongoing. The motive behind the attack and further details will be disclosed in due course.
The suspect was said to have used local bomb to commit the crime while locking approximately 40 worshippers inside the mosque to prevent their escape.
It took some time for the community to realize the severity of the situation and rescue those trapped inside.
