Reports indicate that two separate instances of jungle justice occurred in Kano and Abuja following fatal attacks within mosque premises.
In Kano State, a mob reportedly lynched a man on Monday morning after accusing him of assassinating a cleric, Ladan Zubairu, at the Yusuf Garko Mosque located in the Maraba Quarters. Eyewitnesses described a gruesome scene where the suspect went to Mallam Zubairu’s residence, slaughtered him, and allegedly severed the victim’s throat. The assailant was immediately chased down by an enraged crowd, beaten to death, and subsequently set on fire. Police authorities confirmed that the mob went further to torch the suspect’s home, destroying his property after his death.
Following the lynching, hundreds of youths took to the streets, issuing stern warnings that anyone found committing similar crimes would face instant death. Despite the initial unrest, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, the Police Public Relations Officer, announced that calm has returned to the area with security forces now deployed to maintain order. He revealed a disturbing detail from the investigation: the police team discovered the victim’s severed throat inside the suspect’s pocket. Both corpses were transported to the Mohammed Abdullahi Wase Teaching Hospital in Kano, where they were confirmed dead and deposited for autopsy.
Kiyawa added that the Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, has ordered a comprehensive investigation to ensure all perpetrators are brought to book. He appealed to the public to remain calm and cooperate with law enforcement, assuring them that any information provided would be treated with strict confidentiality.
In a parallel incident in Abuja, a man identified as Laminde Boka was beaten to death by a mob after he allegedly stabbed three worshippers to death during early morning prayers at a mosque in Kado Bimko, Gwarinpa District.
Muhammad Auwal, a local witness who runs a kiosk nearby, recounted that Boka was overpowered and killed by sympathizers. Auwal explained that the first victim was an elderly local barber known as Alhaji Wanzam, who usually arrived around 4 a.m. to clean the mosque. He was attacked and stabbed by the suspect while performing this duty. Auwal noted that the suspect, who appeared to be under the influence of drugs, then attacked others who tried to intervene.
The second victim, a grinding machine operator in a nearby market, was stabbed while trying to confront the suspect and died while being rushed to the hospital. Boka then chased fleeing worshippers and killed a third man who had fallen while trying to escape. In retaliation, the crowd attacked Boka with stones and sticks, inflicting fatal injuries.
Auwal disclosed that Alhaji Wanzam’s remains were transported to his hometown in Gezawa, Kano, while the second victim was taken to Katsina for burial. The third victim, who was from Gombe State, was moved to Kubwa General Hospital as his relatives had not yet been located.
Malam Ibrahim Isiaku, the Village Head of Kado Bimko, stated that the tragic event caused widespread panic, causing early worshippers and those who typically sleep around the mosque to flee. Consequently, the mosque was shut down. Isiaku announced that following a meeting with mosque officials and local business leaders, a new directive has been issued prohibiting anyone from sleeping within the mosque premises going forward.
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