A Kano citizen, Shafiu Aminu, set fire to a mosque in Laraba Abasawa, Gezawa Local Government Area of Kano State.
The incident happened early this morning leaving many worshippers injured.
The arsonist struck as members of the neighbourhood were observing the ‘Subh’ prayer.
According to a community member who begged not to be identified, “the man used petrol and lit fire while the people, approximately 40 of them, were praying. “He shut the mosque following the fire.”
“It took time for people outside to get aware of the incident and rescue the victims who were struggling to break out.”
At least 28 worshippers have been transported to Kano’s Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital after sustaining critical injuries.
A resident, Ibrahim Jibrin, stated, today saying: “I was about to go to the mosque when I saw a boy running engulfed in flames shouting for help.”
“We had no idea what was going on till then. This is the third time he has attacked people here. He once attacked two of his older brothers and went to the police station, claiming to have killed them.”
He further stated that the occurrence is closely tied to years of misunderstanding among family members.
According to residents, Aminu readily turned himself in to the police following the incident.
Efforts to reach the Police Command spokesperson in Kano, Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, were unsuccessful because he continually declined calls.
