Mob Lynches Suspect After Elderly Cleric Is Killed Inside Kano Mosque

“An elderly Islamic cleric was killed inside a mosque in Kano during dawn prayers, sparking mob action that led to the lynching of the suspect. Police have launched a full investigation into the incident.”

An elderly Islamic cleric, Ladan Zubairu, was killed on Monday morning inside the Yusuf Garko Mosque in the Maraba Quarters area of Kano State, triggering mob violence that led to the death of the suspected assailant and the burning of his residence.

PUNCH gathered that the attacker was immediately chased by an angry mob shortly after the incident and lynched, while his house was set ablaze, causing panic in the neighbourhood before security operatives intervened to restore order.

Speaking with journalists, the deceased’s son, Isa Kasim, said his father had gone out at dawn to perform his routine duty of calling Muslims to prayer.

According to him, after making the first call to prayer, his father usually sat briefly inside the mosque to recite supplications before making the second call.

“He had just completed the first call to prayer and was seated when someone entered the mosque with a weapon, grabbed him and slaughtered him. In short, his throat was slit,” Kasim said.

He added that following the brutal attack, youths in the area quickly mobilised and tracked down the suspect.

“By the will of God, the attacker did not escape. Members of the community gathered, pursued him and killed him,” he said.

Kasim further revealed that after the suspect was killed, residents discovered the cleric’s severed throat wrapped in a nylon bag inside the assailant’s pocket.

Confirming the incident in a statement on Monday, the Kano State Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, said police officers swiftly intervened to prevent further breakdown of law and order.

“Our officers promptly intervened to restore calm and prevent further escalation. Normalcy has now returned to Maraba Quarters,” Kiyawa stated.

He disclosed that the police recovered both bodies and transported them to the Mohammed Abdullahi Wase Teaching Hospital for autopsy.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the incident.

“We are committed to ensuring that anyone found culpable will face the full weight of the law,” Kiyawa added.

Authorities have also appealed to residents to remain calm and cooperate with law enforcement agencies by providing useful information to aid the ongoing investigation.