According to information gathered by Becksblog.com.ng, that eleven out of the forty individuals who were set on fire by a 38-year-old named Shafiu Abubakar at a mosque in Gadan village, Gezawa, Kano State, have been confirmed dead.
The arson took place during early morning prayers, allegedly stemming from an inheritance dispute.
About 40 worshippers were trapped inside as the arsonist started the fire and locked them in, preventing their escape.
Rabiu Gadan, a resident of the village, confirmed the death toll, stating that eleven people succumbed to their burns.
Eight funerals have already taken place, while arrangements are being made for the remaining three victims.
Additionally, Rabiu mentioned that Shafiu had a history of violence, having previously attacked his two older brothers and admitting to their murder to the police.
Another resident, Malam Garba, said, “He has always been troubled, but when he challenged his family to give him his portion of the inheritance, they did. He was even taken to a mental institution once when he attacked his relatives but he was given a clean bill of health. So, he was clearly in his right mind when he set the fire, two of his uncles died and we buried them yesterday already.”
Becksblog reports that the perpetrator is currently in police custody, having confessed to his actions, which he attributed to frustration with how some victims handled inheritance distribution.
Despite warning his family against mistreatment, his pleas were ignored, leading to his actions, which he claims he doesn’t regret. While residents confirmed the family’s inheritance dispute, specific details remain unclear.
At Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital in Kano, where the injured were treated, worried relatives awaited news of their loved ones. Maijida, one such relative, expressed her fear of losing her father and brothers, feeling helpless if they were to pass away.
Musa Muhammad Gadan, a resident who attempted to rescue the victims, described rushing to the mosque upon hearing screams and witnessing the flames engulfing the building, resulting in him sustaining burns on his arms.
Deputy Inspector General of Police, AIG Umar Mamman Sanda, confirmed the tragic loss of eight lives during a visit to the hospital, leading a delegation of security personnel including the state Commissioner of Police and the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS).
He said, “The suspect was said to be not satisfied with the distribution and was reacting to that. He is presently with us and is giving useful information. It is really unfortunate.”
