The death toll in the Gezawa Mosque attack in Kano has risen to eight after seven more victims died while receiving treatment at the Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital in Kano.
The Police Public Relations Officer of the Kano State Police Command, SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, who confirmed this to our reporter, said they died as a result of the injuries they sustained in the incident.
According to him, 17 victims are still receiving treatment at the hospital.
NewsWireNGR recalls that an explosion had rocked a mosque early Wednesday in Gadan Village, in the Gezawa Local Government Area of Kano State on Wednesday, leaving 24 individuals with various injuries.
The incident occurred around 5:20am during the Subhi (early morning) prayer.
A spokesman for the Kano State Police Command, Abdullahi Kiyawa, said preliminary forensic analysis showed that the explosion was suspected to be caused by petrol.
The injured, including 20 adult males and four male children, were transported to Murtala Mohammed Specialist Hospital for treatment.
“The scene was cordoned off, and the victims were rushed to the hospital where they are currently receiving medical care,” Kiyawa added.
The principal suspect, identified as 38-year-old Shafi’u Abubakar, has been arrested.
In his statement to the police, the suspect cited a prolonged family dispute over inheritance as his motive. “He said his action was purely in hostility following a prolonged family disagreement over sharing of inheritance, and he did that for his voice to be heard,” Kiyawa reported.
The police assured the public that a detailed investigation is underway and more information will be released in due course. “The suspect is currently in police custody, and a detailed investigation is ongoing,” he said.
