Eight people have reportedly died from the Gezawa Mosque arson attack in Kano State by one Shafiu Abubakar while 17 others still in critical condition receiving treatment.
The victims died while receiving treatment at the Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital in Kano, as confirmed by the police.
SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Kano State Police Command, confirmed the number, adding that 17 others were still receiving treatment at the hospital.
Kiyawa said the victims died as a result of the injuries they sustained in the tragic incident.
A family dispute over the sharing of inheritance prompted a 38-year-old principal suspect, Shafiu Abubakar, to set a mosque on fire.
Sources at the Larabar-Albasawa village explained that Shafiu sprayed the mosque area with petroleum, locked the door, and set it on fire, trapping about 40 worshippers inside.
It was also gathered that almost every household had a member among the affected 40 people in the village.
The police spokesman said 17 victims were still receiving treatment at the hospital.
Earlier on Wednesday, AIG Umar Mamman Sanda led a delegation of security personnel, including the Commissioner of Police in the State and the Director of DSS, on a visit to the victims at the Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital.
He said, “What happened is not associated with any act of terrorism, but rather, it was a skirmish that arose as a result of inheritance sharing.
“The suspect was said to be not satisfied with the distribution and was reacting to that.
“He is presently with us and is giving us useful information. It is really unfortunate. He used a locally made bomb to commit the crime.”
