Kano mosque arson attack: Court remands suspect for setting worshippers ablaze

An Upper Shariah Court in Kano State on Monday, May 20, ordered the remand of Shafiu Abubakar Gadan for allegedly setting a mosque ablaze, killing 14 worshippers. 

The incident occurred during the Subhi (early morning) prayer in Gezawa Local Government Area of the state on May 15, 2024. 

Many other worshippers sustained varying degrees of injuries from the ensuing fire.

The accused is also charged with setting several residents on fire, resulting in grievous harm and the death of some individuals.

During the court session, the prosecution, led by Kano State’s Attorney General, Barrister Haruna Isah Dederi, presented three counts of causing grievous harm and culpable homicide against the accused. 

Dederi alleged that on May 15, 2024, at about 5:15 a.m., the defendant used petrol and set a mosque at Gadan village on fire during subhi.

“The defendant poured the petrol on the carpet where Sani Suleiman and 24 others were praying, and closed the door,” Dederi said. 

“In the process, several people sustained various degrees of injuries and were rushed to Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital Kano for treatment, while Suleiman and 13 others died while receiving treatment.” 

Shafiu Abubakar Gadan pleaded guilty to the charges. 

The prosecution said the case is a capital offence and urged the court to allow the defendant to get a lawyer to give him his constitutional right. 

In response, the presiding judge, Malam Halhalatul Huza’i Zakariyya, ordered the accused to be remanded in a correctional facility.

The case has been adjourned to May 31, 2024.