A Muslim cleric, Ladan Zubairu, was killed at Yusuf Garko Mosque in the Maraba Quarters area of Kano on Monday morning.
It was gathered that the suspect behind the killing was immediately pursued by an irate mob and lynched, while his residence was set ablaze, causing panic in the area before security personnel restored order.
Speaking with reporters, the deceased’s son, Isa Kasim, said his father had gone out at dawn to call Muslims to prayer.
He stated that after making the first call, his father usually sat briefly to recite supplications before the second call.
“He had just finished the first call 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 also mentioned that following the attack, some youths in the area mobilized and killed the assailant.
“By the will of God, the attacker did not escape. Members of the community gathered, tracked him down, and killed him,” he said.
Kasim further said that when the assailant was murdered, villagers found the cleric’s severed throat wrapped in a nylon bag in the suspect’s pocket.
CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, the Kano State Police Public Relations Officer, confirmed the incident in a statement on Monday, saying police acted promptly to restore peace and prevent further escalation.
“Our police acted immediately to restore calm and avoid further escalation. “Normalcy has returned to Maraba Quarters,” Kiyawa stated.
Both remains were found by police and transferred to the Mohammed Abdullahi Wase Teaching Hospital for an autopsy.
The state Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, has ordered an extensive inquiry into the event.
“We are committed to ensuring that anyone found culpable will face the full force of the law,” Kiyawa added.
Authorities have urged locals to remain calm and share any information that could help the ongoing investigation.
