A mosque in Kano, Nigeria, became the scene of tragedy on Wednesday, May 15th, 2024, when an explosion erupted during early morning prayers. The incident left six worshippers dead, and 18 others injured.
While initial reports suggested a potential terrorist attack, Kano State Police spokesperson, Abdullahi Haruna, revealed a different narrative. “Forensic analysis at this preliminary stage revealed a suspected petrol explosion,” said Haruna in a statement published by local media.
Authorities have arrested a suspect, 38-year-old Shafiu Abubakar, and investigations point towards a personal dispute over inheritance as the possible cause. Abubakar set the mosque on fire with worshippers locked inside “for his voice to be heard,” the police statement said.
The explosion occurred at approximately 5:20 a.m. local time during the Subh prayer, the first prayer of the day for Muslims. The force of the blast ripped through the mosque in Gadan Village, leaving behind a scene of destruction and injured worshippers.
Emergency services swiftly responded, deploying a team of security personnel to secure the area and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) experts to investigate the cause of the explosion. Medical personnel rushed the injured, 20 men and four children, to Murtala Mohammed Specialist Hospital Kano for treatment. A few hours later, six of the victims died.
The Kano State Police Force has vowed to conduct a comprehensive investigation to determine the exact cause of the explosion and the suspect’s motive.
