The death toll in the Kano mosque attack has increased to 11.

The Kano State Police Command has verified the death of eight individuals among the 24 victims of the Gezawa Mosque attack, while 17 others continue to receive medical treatment at the hospital.

Initially, one person was reported dead. However, the police apprehended the suspect, Shafiu Abubakar, aged 38, who admitted that his actions were motivated by revenge over a disputed inheritance, alleging that he had been deceived.

Nevertheless, a resident of the village, Rabiu Gadan, informed Leadership that 11 people had succumbed to their injuries thus far, with the funeral services for eight of them already conducted. The bodies of the remaining three were being prepared for burial on Thursday.

Gadan noted that this was not Abubakar’s first instance of violent behavior, as he had previously assaulted two of his older brothers and then turned himself in to the police, claiming he had killed them.

SP Abdullahi Haruna, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, confirmed the death toll late Wednesday, stating that seven additional victims had passed away while undergoing treatment at the facility. He added that 17 other victims were still receiving treatment at the hospital.“The victims died as a result of the injuries they sustained in the unfortunate incident,” Haruna said.

It was reported that Abubakar spread petroleum in the mosque area before locking the door and igniting the mosque. The main suspect, Shafi’u Abubakar, aged 38, is currently in police custody, cooperating with the ongoing investigation.

Abubakar stated that his actions stemmed from a long-standing family dispute over inheritance, alleging that those he accused of cheating him were present in the mosque at the time. He claimed he committed the act to make his grievances known.

According to Sadik Kamal, who spoke to The PUNCH, when the fire engulfed the mosque, he and others tried to escape but found the exit doors locked. It was the latecomers who struggled to unlock the doors, allowing those trapped to escape to safety.

One killed, scores injured as angry man bombs Kano mosque

On Wednesday, one individual was confirmed deceased and at least 23 others sustained critical injuries following an early morning explosion at a mosque in Gadan Village, located in the Gezawa Local Government Area of Kano State.

The police have since apprehended the suspect, who admitted that his actions were motivated by revenge over a disputed inheritance, claiming he had been deceived.

State Police Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Haruna, verified the incident in a statement on Wednesday, affirming that the suspect was in police custody.

“The suspect is Shafi’u Abubakar, aged 38, who stated that his actions were driven by animosity, stemming from a prolonged family dispute over the division of inheritance. He alleged that those he accused of cheating him were present in the mosque at the time, and he carried out the act to make his grievances known,” the police spokesman stated.