The death toll from the collapse of the iconic Zaria Central Mosque, which led to loss of lives and injuring of worshippers, who were observing prayers in the evening of Friday, August 11, 2023 in Zaria, Kaduna State, has risen to 12.
Recall that the incident occurred while Muslim faithful were observing the Asr prayer around 4pm on Friday.
The Zaria Central Mosque constructed in the 1830s, had for decades opened its doors to Muslim faithful from all parts of the world.
Meanwhile, Kaduna State governor, Senator Uba Sani, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, and the Jamaatul Nasir Islam (JNI), have all expressed their condolences with the Zazzau Emirate and families of deceased victims.
Governor Uba Sani, in his condolences to the families of the victims, prayed for Allah’s divine healing and recovery of all those injured in the unfortunate incident.
The Governor thanked the Emir of Zazzau, HRH Ambassador Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, for the fatherly role he played in rallying his subjects to carry out rescue operations, offer assistance to the injured and to console the families of the victims.
The governor also commended the efforts of the first responders, medical personnel, and good citizens of Zaria in rescuing the survivors.
He urged citizens of the state to offer prayers for the repose of the souls of the departed, adding that an advance team of senior government officials led by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Balarabe Abbas Lawal, was already in Zaria to assess the situation on ground and attend the Islamic funeral rites of the deceased.
“The State Government will also order an immediate investigation into the cause of the unfortunate incident,” he said, adding that it would also assist the victims.
“I am deeply saddened by the tragic incident at the Zaria Central Mosque in Kaduna State. My heart goes out to the families of those who lost their lives and those who were injured as a result of the collapse of the Zaria Central Mosque.
“I also offer my heartfelt condolences to the Emir of Zazzau, His Royal Highness Amb. Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, and the entire Muslim Community over these irreparable losses. May the Almighty Allah forgive the shortcomings of the departed and grant them Jannatul Firdaus.
”The Kaduna State Government will assist those affected by this heartbreaking incident,” he assured.
Also, the Secreteay General of JNI, Professor Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, in a statement called on the authorities to conduct a thorough investigation to determine the causes of the tragic incident.
According to him, “safety measures should be reviewed and implemented where necessary to prevent similar accidents from happening in the future. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that places of worship are safe havens for worshippers.”
Prof. Aliyu added that JNI “stands in solidarity with the Zazzau Emirate during this challenging time. We will continue to identify with the Ummah and the entire humanity, seeking for ways to help ease the pain caused by this tragic incident.”
Similarly, in his condolence message, the Speaker of House of Representatives, Hon. Abbass, described the traggic incident as disheartening and devastating.
In a press statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Abdullahi Krishi, the Speaker said his “heart bleeds” as a result of the incident, noting that it was the most heartrending news he received in recent times.
Speaker Abbas, who expressed sadness and sorrow over the losses at this critical period, also prayed for the repose of the souls of those who lost their lives. He equally prayed that the Almighty God would grant those that sustained injuries during the incident a quick recovery.
According to the lawmaker, “My heart bleeds over the unfortunate incident that happened at the Zaria Central Mosque on Friday, August 11, 2023 during the Asr prayer, when parts of the mosque collapsed, leading to the death of some of my constituents.
“It is disheartening and devastating that people who went to worship Allah lost their lives in that manner. I pray that Allah (SWT) will grant them eternal rest and reward them with Jannatul Firdaus.
“My thoughts and prayers are with their families and those that sustained injuries during the incident.
“I send my heartfelt condolences to the Emir of Zazzau, His Royal Highness, Amb. Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, my constituents – the people of Zaria – and indeed the entire people of Kaduna State as well as the Kaduna State Government over the unfortunate incident.”
