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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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Ex-convict Arrested In Edo For Armed Robbery, Possession Of Firearm

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The Edo State Security Corps (ESSC) has arrested a 45-year-old ex-convict, Owen Osas, for alleged unlawful possession of firearms and suspected involvement in a robbery incident.

Osas was reportedly arrested with a cut-to-size single-barrel gun during a covert operation along Fishpond Road in Eyean, Uhunmwonde Local Government Area.

The arrest reportedly comes barely a year after he was released from prison, where he had served time for illegal possession of firearms and other criminal offences.

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Osas, who confessed to the latest crime, also admitted to being a member of the Eiye Confraternity.

READ ALSO:Tragedy As Suspected Kidnappers Kill Young Entrepreneur In Edo

Consequently, a victim of an alleged robbery incident, Reginia Izy, identified Osas as the person who robbed her a day before his arrest.

The victim narrated that the suspect had approached her residence around 8 p.m., pretending to be familiar before carrying out the attack.

‎The Deputy Commander Operations of ESSC, Richard Balogun, said the arrest was part of intensified efforts to rid Edo State of criminal elements.

READ ALSO:Edo South Senatorial Seat: Nothing Wrong Seeking Wike’s Support – Ogbeide-Ihama

‎Balogun explained that operatives conduct both overt patrols and covert operations to track and apprehend suspects.

He said, ‎“Our men are always on patrol. Some operate in plain clothes as part of covert strategies, while others are stationed at strategic locations.

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“Osas, who is a former convict, was arrested with firearms and he also confessed to be a member of the Eiye Confraternity.”

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Gunmen Kidnap Businessman In Ibadan

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Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted a 60-year-old man in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The victim was kidnapped on Saturday while on his way to his residence.

The incident occurred at Jinarere, Alakia in Ibadan.

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Public Relations Officer of the State Police command, Olayinka Ayanlade, when contacted, confirmed the incident.

READ ALSO:Gunmen Abduct 60-year-old Trader In Oyo

Ayanlade in a statement made available to DAILY POST on Sunday, explained that efforts are ongoing to rescue the victim.

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Ayanlade said, “Preliminary information reveals that the victim, a 60-year-old male and building materials trader, was accosted while returning home along the Jinarere axis of Alakia Road by four masked armed men, who forcefully whisked him away in an unregistered ash-coloured Toyota Corolla vehicle”.

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Tragedy As Suspected Kidnappers Kill Young Entrepreneur In Edo

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A 30-year-old entrepreneur and CEO of Principle Takeout, Justice Abu Oshioke, has been killed by suspected kidnappers in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State.

He was reportedly attacked by the suspected kidnappers on Saturday while on his way to pick up an order made for his child’s dedication on Sunday morning.

Eyewitnesses said the attackers attempted to force him into a nearby bush in a kidnapping attempt. However, he reportedly resisted and tried to escape.

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READ ALSO:Senatorial Seat: Ogbakha-Edo Warns Against Imposition Of Candidates In Edo South

In the course of the struggle, the assailants opened fire, shooting him multiple times.

Concerned residents quickly rushed him to a nearby medical facility, but he was confirmed dead on arrival.

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The deceased was said to have recently gotten married and welcomed a baby boy.

The tragic event has turned a joyous occasion into a moment of grief for the family.

READ ALSO:Edo NLC Divided Over May Day Celebration

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The shocking development has left the Ekpoma community in deep sorrow, with many residents expressing outrage over the growing insecurity in the area.

Edo State Police Command’s spokesperson, Eno Ikoedem confirmed the incident and said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika has ordered a “full-scale investigation and intensified manhunt for those responsible.” 

According to her, the Police, in collaboration with the military, local vigilantes, and hunters, are actively pursuing the perpetrators through coordinated operations.

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