Tragedy struck once again as four more victims of the May 15 bombing of a mosque at Gadan village in Gezawa Local Government Area of Kano State succumbed to their injuries on Thursday, bringing the death toll to 21. The devastating attack left 25 early-morning worshippers injured, with one person tragically losing their life on the day of the incident.
The victims had been receiving treatment at the Muhammed Specialists Hospital in Kano, where 20 others eventually succumbed to their injuries, leaving only four survivors. The senseless act of violence was perpetrated by 38-year-old Shafiú Abubakar, who attacked the mosque with a locally-fabricated bomb.
Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State swiftly ordered the prosecution of the bombing mastermind before the Shariah Court, expressing his resolve to sign the death warrant if the suspect is convicted and sentenced to death. Abubakar, the perpetrator, cited a prolonged family disagreement over the sharing of inheritance as the motive behind his heinous actions. He claimed that some of those he perceived as having wronged him were present in the mosque during his attack.
The suspect was arraigned on three counts of “grievous hurt and culpable homicide” before an Upper Shari’a Court sitting in Rijiyar Zaki, Kano, on Tuesday, May 21. Haruna Dederi, the Kano State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, appeared as the prosecution counsel, detailing the defendant’s actions in setting the mosque ablaze during the dawn prayer.
As the community mourns the lives lost and grapples with the aftermath of this senseless act of violence, authorities continue to pursue justice for the victims and their families. The tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of communal discord and the urgent need for peace and unity within society.
