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Man To Die By Hanging For Mosque Arson Causing 23 Deaths

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A Kano Upper Sharia Court has sentenced a man to death by hanging for setting a mosque ablaze during early morning prayers which claimed the lives of 23 worshippers and left several others critically injured.

The incident occurred on May 15, 2024, in Gadan Larabar Abasawa village, Gezawa Local Government Area of Kano State.

The convict, identified as Shafiu Abubakar, was found guilty of four serious offences: culpable homicide, attempted homicide, causing grievous injury, and mischief by fire.

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The offences contravene Sections 143, 148, and 370 of the Shari’a Legal Code of Kano State, 2000.

READ ALSO:Police Arrest Woman For Stabbing Co-wife To Death In Katsina

According to the prosecution, about 11 victims died instantly at the scene of the attack, while 12 others later succumbed to their injuries while receiving treatment at the Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital.

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The presiding Judge, Justice Halhatu Huza’i Zakariyya, on Monday, ruled that the evidence presented before the court proved the charges beyond a reasonable doubt.

The court admitted the defendant’s confessional statement and cited eyewitness testimonies, as well as circumstantial evidence, including burns found on his hand, as compelling proof of guilt.

This court finds the defendant guilty of the heinous crimes committed on that tragic day. The deliberate act of setting a place of worship ablaze during prayers is a cruel and calculated attack on humanity,” the judge said.

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In addition to the death sentence, the court ordered that the convict receive 150 strokes of the cane—100 for the offence of mischief by fire and another 50 for causing grievous harm, as well as a fine of N1,500.

The court further ordered that his tricycle be sold and the proceeds used toward the reconstruction of the mosque.

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The PUNCH gathered that the prosecution presented seven witnesses during the trial, including Abdulaziz Yahya, the Village Head of Gadan, and ASP Abdullahi Sajoh Adamawa, a police officer attached to the Gezawa Divisional Police Headquarters.

READ ALSO:Amnesty Boss, Otuaro, Pledges Inclusive Programme For Niger Delta Communities

PUNCH reports that the state government approved N151.9 million for the rebuilding of the burnt mosque and a nearby Islamiyya school.

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Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, who visited the wounded at Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital, strongly condemned the attack and assured the public that justice would be served.

“This is a deeply tragic event rooted in a personal dispute, not terrorism or politics. The government will ensure the community is supported, and such an atrocity will never occur,” the governor said.

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Metro

Kwara Traditional Ruler Kidnapped On His Farm

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Gunmen have reportedly abducted a traditional ruler in Bayagan community in the Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, Ojibara of Bayagan Oba Kamilu Salami, on Saturday.

It was gathered that the traditional ruler was kidnapped Saturday morning on his farm, while details of the incident were still sketchy.

READ ALSO:JUST IN: Again, Terrorists Storm Kwara Community, Kidnap Pregnant Woman, 10 Children, Others

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Eyewitness disclosed that the attack happened suddenly and left the community in apprehension and confusion. Meanwhile, the incident had triggered fresh concerns over cases of insecurity across the country.

The Kwara State Police command was yet to confirm the incident as at when filing this report.

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Sokoto Police Arrest Suspected Cultists, Uncover WhatsApp Recruitment Channel

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The Sokoto State Police Command has arrested three suspected members of the notorious “Sai Malam” cult group, believed to be behind rising criminal activities in parts of the state.

The suspects, including the alleged gang leader Usman Shu’aibu, were apprehended on Friday during an intelligence-led operation executed by the command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmad Rufa’i, the suspects confessed to being initiated into the group through a private WhatsApp platform called Red Chamber.

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The police noted that further investigation discovered the social media channel was created to recruit unsuspecting youths into criminal activities.

READ ALSO:Police Crack Down On Criminal Network In Delta Community, Recover AK-47

These, according to the statement, include ritual practices, the pursuit of supposed demonic powers, acts of homosexuality, and violent thuggery.

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The police warned parents to closely monitor their children’s online activities closely, noting that criminal groups are increasingly exploiting digital platforms to lure vulnerable youths.

Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Musa, said the arrests respond directly to public concerns about the group’s operations, adding that efforts are ongoing to track other fleeing members.

He assured residents of the command’s commitment to sustaining intelligence-driven policing and safeguarding lives and property across the state.

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READ ALSO:Hoodlums Stab Police Officer To Death In Ondo

In other news, two persons suspected to be hoodlums have been arrested by the operatives of the Ondo State Police Command for allegedly stabbing a police officer to death in Akure, the state capital.

The suspects, identified as Shina Jacob, 25, and Felix Olalekan, 32, allegedly attacked the police inspector during an altercation at Oke-Arata within Arakale axis.

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The killing of the police officer came a few days after a personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) was stabbed to death by a mentally unstable man in Oba-Ile area of Akure.

According to sources, after the inspector, who was recently transferred from the Anti-Cultism Unit to B-Division, was stabbed, the area was thrown into a state of panic as residents and traders hurriedly fled.

READ ALSO:Police Arrest 26 Over Fake Currency, Adulterated Diesel In Lagos

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While confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Olayinka Ayanlade, disclosed that the officer was rushed to the hospital after he was stabbed but gave up the ghost while receiving treatment.

An altercation ensued between the officer and some recalcitrant individuals, during which the officer was tragically stabbed. This unfortunate event triggered an immediate and coordinated police response.

“Acting swiftly, the Commissioner of Police deployed a team of operatives to the scene, resulting in the arrest of two suspects directly connected to the incident. They include Shina Jacob ‘m’ aged 25 years and Felix Olalekan ‘m’ aged 32 years.

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“The injured officer was also rescued and rushed to the hospital; however, despite all efforts, the police inspector sadly passed away while receiving treatment. The follow-up operation conducted last night formed part of the Command’s sustained and strategic efforts to rid the state of violent criminal elements and prevent further breaches of public safety,” Ayanlade stated.”

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Army, Air Force Crush ISWAP Fighters After Failed Chibok Attack

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Troops of the 28 Task Force Brigade, Sector 4 Operation Hadin Kai, on Saturday stopped a major attack by ISWAP/Boko Haram fighters in Chibok, Borno State, before the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) moved in with airstrikes that killed many of the fleeing terrorists.

The report was contained in a post shared on X by security analyst Zagazola Makama.

According to the update, more than 300 terrorists launched a coordinated assault on Chibok around 3:00 a.m., attempting to break through military defensive positions.

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Soldiers responded immediately, engaging the attackers in a fierce gunfight that lasted about two hours.

READ ALSO:Army Releases List Of Shortlisted Candidates For SSC Course

A security source quoted in the post said the troops acted swiftly and professionally.

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There was no casualty on our side, and no equipment was affected,” the source said.

As the terrorists began to retreat toward the Timbuktu Triangle, ground troops called for air support.

NAF combat aircraft were deployed to the route used by the fleeing fighters.

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READ ALSO:NAF Redeploys 25 Senior Officers

The airstrikes, guided by intelligence from the troops on the ground, hit several clusters of terrorists trying to escape.

Multiple waves of strikes were carried out, with both manned aircraft and an unmanned aerial platform targeting groups of fighters dispersing into the forest.

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According to Makama, the combined efforts of the Army and the Air Force dealt heavy blows to the attackers, preventing them from regrouping after the failed offensive.

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