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Tag: Mosque

  • UN rights commissioner condemns mosque attack in Niger

    UN rights commissioner condemns mosque attack in Niger

    UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk on Tuesday condemned the recent attack on a mosque in Kokorou village, western Niger.

    No fewer than 44 worshippers were killed and 20 injured in the attack on Friday.

    Assailants from the so-called Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS) – an ISIL affiliate – had surrounded Fambita Mosque and randomly shot at worshippers, according to a statement from Niger’s defence ministry.

    They then reportedly set a market and several homes on fire.

    “The egregious attack on the Fambita Mosque – during Friday prayers in the last 10 days of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan – was clearly intended to cause as many civilian casualties as possible,” Turk said.

    This is “in stark violation of international human rights law and humanitarian law,” he said.

    He said an impartial investigation should be instituted to bring those responsible to justice.

    The attack came in the context of a general deterioration in the security situation in the wider Sahel region.

    In recent years, the Sahel had seen a major uptick in violence.

    This followrd the expansion of armed groups linked to al-Qaeda and ISIL terrorist groups which took over territory in north Mali following the 2012 Tuareg rebellion there.

    Since then, the violence had spread into neighbouring countries, Niger and Burkina Faso, and more recently into some other coastal West African nations.

    UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed had characterised the Sahel as “ground zero” for one of the most brutal security crises in the world.

    Inspite of efforts by member states, terrorism-related deaths in the region had reportedly soared past 6,000 for three consecutive years, making up more than half of all global fatalities.

    Turk said the “calculated assault” on Fambita Mosque should be a wake-up call to all – including the international community – “as to the seriousness of the situation and the widening risks faced by civilians in Niger.”

    Governments in the region had continued to struggle with restoring security.

    This contributed to two military coups in Mali, two in Burkina Faso and one in Niger between 2020 and 2023.

    They all remain under military rule inspite of regional and international pressure to hold elections.

    The High Commissioner called on the Nigerien authorities to take meaningful steps to improve security for civilians.

    He also called on them to take effective measures to uphold human rights and the rule of law.

    Turk said it was essential that authorities involve the affected communities in efforts toward finding a durable solution to the ongoing human rights crisis in the country.

  • 1 dead, 5 rescued as mosque collapses in Lagos

    1 dead, 5 rescued as mosque collapses in Lagos

    The Lagos Emergency Management Agency  (LASEMA) says five persons have been rescued and one dead body recovered from a collapsed mosque  at Papa Ajao, Mushin, on Sunday.

    Dr Femi Oke-Osanyintolu, Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, made this known  in a statement in Lagos.

    Oke-Osanyintolu said that the mosque located on Yusuf Street, off Ladipo Road, Papa Ajao, collapsed while prayer was ongoing.

    The permanent secretary said that search and rescue operations  were taking place  under his supervision.

    He listed emergency responders at the scene to include LASEMA Response Team, the police, Lagos State Ambulance Service and Lagos State Fire Service.

  • Police arrest principal suspect in Kano Mosque Explosion

    Police arrest principal suspect in Kano Mosque Explosion

    The police command in Kano State, has confirmed the arrest of the principal suspect behind the early morning mosque explosion in Gadan village in Gezawa Local Government Area of the state.

    The state Commissioner of Police, Mr Usaini Gumel, told said in a telephone interview on Wednesday that a 38 year-old-man Shafi’u Abubakar, had been arrested over the incident.

    He said that the suspect had confessed to attacking the mosque because of a long-standing family dispute over inheritance sharing.

    “On May 15, 2024, at about 5:20 a.m. the police received a report of an explosion at a mosque in Gadan Village during the dawn prayer, leaving several people injured.

    “Promptly, a team of security personnel, including experts in Explosive Ordnance Disposal Chemical Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (EOD-CBRN), were deployed to the scene.

    “Twenty-four victims, including 20 males and four children, who sustained various degrees of injuries were rushed to Murtala Mohammed Specialist Hospital Kano for treatment, ” he said.

    The CP said that preliminary forensic analysis indicated that the explosion was caused by a petrol bomb and a detailed investigation was ongoing.

    He said the police were continuing with investigations and would release further details in due course.

    NAN

  • Unknown man sets mosque on fire during morning prayer in Kano

    Unknown man sets mosque on fire during morning prayer in Kano

    A man whose identity is not yet known has set a mosque on fire at Laraba Abasawa in Gezawa Local Government Area of Kano State.

    According to Daily Trust, the incident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, and left worshippers injured.

    The paper reported that members of the community were observing the ‘Subh’ prayer when the incident happened.

    A member of the community, who asked not to be named, narrated that “the man used petrol and lit fire while the people, about 40 of them, were praying. He locked the mosque after the fire.

    “It took time for people outside to get aware of the incident and rescue the victims who were struggling to break out.”

    At least 20 worshippers said to have sustained serious injuries have been rushed to Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital in Kano.

  • Two killed, many abducted as gunmen storm Kaduna mosque during prayers

    Two killed, many abducted as gunmen storm Kaduna mosque during prayers

    A Mosque located in Angwar Makera, Kwasakwasa Community in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State was on Friday attacked by gunmen, leaving at least two persons dead.

    Findings shows that the incident happened around 2 pm during the Friday prayers.

    A community leader, Hudu Kwasakwasa who confirmed the incident to journalists, said  the bandits stormed the Mosque and opened fire on the worshipers.

    “The two worshipers killed were among other Muslims attacked at the Juma’at Mosque in Angwar Makera when the bandits opened fire on them and abducted others today.

    The victims have been buried at Old Kuyello cemetery,” he said.

    He said the people were in the second raka’at of the salat when they were attacked, which forced the remaining people to run for their lives.

    He added that a few days ago, the same bandits abducted about 9 people at a community called Angwar Kanawa under Kwasakwasa area.

    Recall that the latest attack occurred barely 24 hours after the daredevil bandits abducted over 287 students in the neighboring Chikun Local Government Area of the state.

    The Kaduna Police Command is yet to officially commemt on the matter  at of the time of filing this report.

  • Bandits strike in Kaduna Mosque, kill 7 worshippers

    Bandits strike in Kaduna Mosque, kill 7 worshippers

    The Police Command in Kaduna State on Saturday  confirmed the killing of seven persons while performing prayers in a Mosque at Saya-Saya village of Ikara Local Government Area.

    The command’s Deputy Public Relations Officer, ASP Mansir Hassan, confirmed the incident to NAN.

    Hassan said “at about 8:00 p.m. on Friday, we received information from Saya-Saya village that six persons were killed while performing last prayer of the day (Ishai) in a Mosque.

    “The bandits, about nine of them on motorcycles, arrived and attacked the people in the Mosque.

    “At the spot, they shot six persons while praying in a mosque in the  village.”

    Hassan said the bandits also moved to another Mosque at Tashar Dauda, also in Ikara Local Government Area, and killed one person while three sustained bullet injuries.

    He said the bandits took away four motorcycles.

    “On getting the information, the Divisional Police Officer of Ikara promptly mobilised security operatives to the scenes.

    “By the time our men got there, the bandits had escaped into the bush before the arrival of security operatives .

    “So far, no arrest has been made at the scenes of the incident but five empty shells of AK49 rifle were recoverd.”

    He said that the seven corpses had been handed over to their relatives.

    Of the three injured persons, he said that two were moved to General Hospital Tudun-Wada, Kano State, while one is in General Hospital Ikara.

    Mansir said Police had intensified efforts to arrest the suspects and make them face the law.

    He quoted the Commissioner of Police, Mr Musa Garba, as appealing to citizens to always report any unusual and suspicious activity to the nearest security authorities for proactive measure.

  • Police probe attack on Ife residents by Oro worshippers, Imam and others injured

    Police probe attack on Ife residents by Oro worshippers, Imam and others injured

    The Osun State Police Command has begun an investigation into the alleged attack on some residents of Ile-Ife by Oro worshippers.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that members of the Muslim community in Ile-Ife, Osun State, on Friday, staged a protest following the alleged invasion of a mosque in the Ilare area by some Oro adherents.

    The protesters said on Thursday, the traditionalists entered the mosque, where some Muslims had gathered to observe the 4pm prayers, and attacked those they found in the building.

    Beside the chief imam of the mosque, Abdul-Lateef Adediran, who was reportedly injured in the face, five other worshippers were allegedly stabbed during the attack.

    An eyewitness, who identified himself only as Kareem for security reasons, said, “We were in the mosque to pray. Some people were performing ablution when the Oro worshippers entered the mosque.

    “We were aware that they would be going around with Oro and we didn’t meddle in their affairs. They had passed through the area. They later returned and entered the mosque.

    “The imam was trying to ask what their mission was, but they didn’t even allow him to talk before they started beating every one of us. Six people were stabbed. Our imam sustained injuries on his face. All those injured were taken to hospitals in Ile-Ife.”

    During the Friday protest, the protesters, who moved through major streets in the town, visited the palace of the Ooni of Ife, but the royal father was not available.

    Meanwhile, the former Chairman, Nigeria Union of Teachers and Nigeria Labour Congress in Osun State, Sakariyau Adesiyan, stressed the need to end the procession by adherents of Oro in daylight in Ile-Ife.

    In an interview in Ile-Ife, Adesiyan said: “This must be the end of daylight Oro procession in Ile-Ife. This is not the first time they have been attacking Muslims and Christians in daylight.

    “What happened yesterday (Thursday) was barbaric and satanic, because the person that was attacked was inside the mosque. Those who are praying were inside the mosque.

    “They have once attacked people. So, we are saying enough is enough. The Muslims are not happy with what they did,” Adesiyan explained.

    According to him, Oro adherents came into the mosque and allegedly attacked Muslims.

    The Ex-NLC Chairman stressed that they wanted the perpetrators punished, adding that the people would continue their protests if those involved were not arrested.

    Also, the Secretary, Nigeria Union of Teachers, Ife Central, Tajudeen Adesiyan, said that the Muslims were about to observe Solat Asri prayer when they were attacked.

    Adesiyan claimed that the Oro traditional worshipers were returning from their shrine, when they forcefully entered the mosque and they were asking for Imam Lateef Adesiyan.

    “It happened inside the mosque and the mosque was destroyed. There was a pool of blood from those injured. We are telling Nigerians that the constitution allows everyone to practice his religion as he likes,” he stated.

    He observed that there had never been a day when Christians would ask Muslims to stay indoors for religious events, but the traditional worshipers were intolerant of other religions.

    The Secretary emphasised that they were going to end the indiscipline act of the traditional Oro worshipers in Ile-Ife.

  • 28 dead, 147 injured after suicide bomber detonates vest in mosque

    28 dead, 147 injured after suicide bomber detonates vest in mosque

    At least 28 dead and 147 persons have been injured after a suicide bomber detonates a vest inside a mosque, sparking roof collapse in Pakistan.

    The explosion caused the building’s roof to collapse as hundreds of worshipers including many policemen from nearby police offices were praying inside.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that the blast happened today (January 30) during prayers in the northwestern city of Peshawar near the border with Afghanistan.

    Police official Sikandar Khan said there were at least 260 people inside the mosque.

    “A portion of the building had collapsed and several people are believed to be under it,” he added.

    No one has yet claimed responsibility for the strike.

    He added that several of those wounded were in critical condition amid fears the death toll would rise.

    28 dead, 147 injured after suicide bomber detonates vest in mosque

    Rescuers scrambled trying to remove mounds of debris from the mosque grounds and get to worshippers still trapped under the rubble, police said.

    A survivor, 38-year-old police officer Meena Gul, said he was inside the mosque when the bomb went off adding he could hear cries and screams after the bomb exploded.

    Prime Minister, Shahbaz Sharif, in a statement, condemned the bombing and ordered authorities to ensure the best possible medical treatment for the victims.

    He also vowed stern action against those who were behind the attack.

    Former Prime Minister, Imran Khan, tweeted: “My prayers & condolences go to victims’ families. It is imperative we improve our intelligence gathering & properly equip our police forces to combat the growing threat of terrorism.”

    It was gathered that Peshwar, which sits at the edge of Pakistan’s tribal districts bordering Afghanistan, is frequently targeted by militant groups including the Pakistani Taliban.

    The group, known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), are a close ally of the Afghan Taliban that took over Afghanistan in August 2021.

  • Man deceives villagers to steal roof and doors of 14 mosques in Jigawa

    Man deceives villagers to steal roof and doors of 14 mosques in Jigawa

    Jigawa State police have arrested a 21-year-old man, Abba Haruna, for stealing roofs and doors of 14 mosques in three LGAs of the state, under the pretext of building new ones.

    The suspect was arrested after being busted as a swindler. He had removed the roofing sheets and doors of the mosques and sold them to scrap merchants.

    According to the Spokesperson of the magistrates’ court in Kiyawa town, Abbas Rufai Wangara, Haruna was accused of vandalizing and stealing roofing sheets, doors and windows from a mosque.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) gathered that the suspect carted away materials belonging to 14 mosques in Taura, Kiyawa and Jahun LGAs of the state.

    Village Head of Kanoke, Ussaini Wanzam Ilyasu told newsmen that Haruna came to the village a couple of weeks ago, claiming that he was working with an Arab NGO that would build a bigger mosque hence that they should demolish the old building.

    He said: “So, after demolishing a section of the mosque, saying he would use it for filling; he collected the roofing sheets, windows, doors and hand-pump borehole and went away with the materials.

    “He even paid the labourers who demolished the mosque. He paid those who removed the rooftop N5,000, electricians N2,000, while those who demolished the courtyard were also paid N5,000.”

    It was gathered that Haruna was arrested while attempting to trick another community which officials raised alarm after being suspicious of his visit to the community.

    Ilyasu added: “When he entered Katika community for the same act since they had knowledge about our own experience, they became wary of him. They came to us, intimating us that they caught a man who came to remove their mosque’s roofing.

    “Immediately I set my eyes on him I recognized him. When he was asked of the whereabouts of our mosque’s materials, he said he’d sold them.”

    Police spokesman in the state, DSP Lawal Shi’isu Adam, also said the fraudster was charged to court after being arrested.

  • Gunmen attack mosque in Delta

    Gunmen attack mosque in Delta

    Unidentified gunmen early Friday morning, attacked a mosque in Ughelli, Delta state, leaving 11 worshippers injured.

    A resident who spoke to newsmen on phone, said the attack took place at about 6.47 am when some Muslim faithful were holding their morning prayers at the Central mosque, located along Okoroda street in Ughelli.

    The resident who gave his name simply as Larry, said many residents were jolted from their sleep by gunshots followed by loud cries from people inside the mosque.

    “My name is Larry, I am commercial vehicle driver here in Ughelli. I live very close to the central mosque, so this morning at about 6.45 am we heard shooting at the mosque.

    “Because of fear, many people in my compound were frightened and we remained inside only peeping through our windows.

    “As the shooting lasted, we heard loud cries from some worshippers inside the mosque,” Larry said.

    According to him, after the invaders left, many residents thronged to the mosque in their numbers to see what happened.

    He said residents helped to evacuate injured worshippers, adding that those that survived the attack suffered severe injuries.

    Larry said that some of the worshippers told residents that three of their fellow worshippers were taken away by the gunmen.

    When contacted, the Delta police spokesperson, DSP Bright Edafe, confirmed the attack to NAN but said that only 11 worshippers were injured in the attack.

    He, however, did not confirm the abduction of three worshippers.

    “I just called the DPO at Ughelli and he confirmed to me that 11 persons were injured in the attack at the mosque.

    “However, the police have commence investigation into the incident and we will update you as we work to unravel the culprits.

    “For now, no arrest has been made but I can assure you that we will get those involved,” Edafe said.