Man Who Set Kano Mosque On Fire Voluntarily Surrenders, Gives Reason For Action 

SHAFI’U Abubakar, 38, who on Wednesday morning set a mosque located in Laraba Abasawa, Gezawa Local Government Area of Kano State ablaze and trapped worshippers inside has turned himself in to the police, even as he offered an explanation for his action.

According to SP Haruna Kiyawa, Kano State Police Command spokesman, Shafi’u voluntarily surrendered to the police after committing the act.

In his statement to the police, Shafi’u admitted to setting the mosque on fire out of provocation, aiming to confront those he believed had cheated him during a family inheritance dispute. These individuals were reportedly present in the mosque at the time of the attack.

“While Shafi’u is currently in police custody, investigations are ongoing. The motive behind the attack and further details will be disclosed in due course”,  SP Kiyawa said in a statement.

The bizarre incident unfolded during the early morning prayer, as Shafi’u used petrol to ignite the fire, locking approximately 40 worshippers inside the mosque to prevent their escape,  leaving 24 out of the trapped worshippers with varying degrees of burns.

It took some time for the community to realize the severity of the situation and rescue those trapped inside.

Eighteen-Eleven Media