The Kano State Police Command has apprehended the major suspect behind the early morning explosion in a mosque in Gadan village in Gezawa Local Government Area of the state.

According to reports, members of the community were observing the “Subhi Prayer” on Wednesday morning, May 15, 2024, when the suspect, Shafi’u Abubakar, set the mosque on fire with petrol and locked it to prevent the worshippers from escaping.

SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, the spokesperson of the command who confirmed the arrest, said 24 people sustained various skin burn injuries in the suspected petrol explosion, while deaths were recorded.

Kano PPRO Speaks

According to the PPRO, the suspect confessed to the crime, saying his action was purely in hostility following prolonged family disagreements over the sharing of inheritance.

Also, he claimed that those who cheated him out of the inheritance were in the mosque at that moment, and he carried out the act to voice out his grievance.

“Today, May 15, 2024, at about 0520 hours, reports were received that there was an explosion at a mosque in Gadan Village, Gezawa LGA, Kano State, during “Subhi Prayer,” and that some people got injured,” the statement read.

“On receipt of the report, the Commissioner of Police, Kano State Command, CP Mohammed Usaini Gumel, FIPMA, psc, immediately deployed the command’s combined teams.

The teams consisted of experts in Explosive Ordnance Disposal Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (EOD-CBRN) led by CSP Haruna Isma’il and other crime-scene policemen led by Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Gezawa Division, CSP Haruna Iliya.

The Revenge Mission

“The scene was cordoned off, and twenty-four (24) victims, including 20 male adults and 4 male children, were removed and rushed to Murtala Mohammed Specialist Hospital Kano, where they are currently receiving treatment.

“Forensic analysis at this preliminary stage revealed a suspected petrol explosion, for which a full investigation is ongoing.

“The principal suspect has been identified and arrested; he is Shafi’u Abubakar, aged 38, who said his action was purely in hostility.

According to him, his outburst followed a prolonged family disagreement over the sharing of inheritance.

Also Read: Kano: Man Sets Mosque On Fire, Traps Worshippers Inside

He sought revenge by setting the mosque ablaze as those who allegedly cheated on him were in the mosque at that moment, and he did that for his voice to be heard.

“While the suspect is currently in police custody, a detailed investigation is ongoing and will be made public in due course.”

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