Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Uba Sani, Jamaatul Nasir Islam, JNI) and the Speaker of House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas have condoled with the Zazzau Emirate, families of deceased victims of collapsed Central Mosque in Zaria. 

Meanwhile, the number of casualties, yesterday, rose to 12. The collapse of the iconic Zaria Central Mosque  led to loss of lives and injuries of some residents, who were observing their prayers in the evening of Friday.

The Zaria Central Mosque constructed in the 1830s, has for decades opened its doors to Muslim faithful from all parts of the world. The governor expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and prayed for Allah’s divine healing and recovery of all those injured in the unfortunate incident.

The governor thanked His Royal Highness, Ambassador Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, the Emir of Zazzau 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.

Urging citizens of the state to offer prayers for the repose of the souls of the departed, Sani further disclosed that an advance team of senior government officials led by Alhaji Balarabe Abbas Lawal, the Secretary to the State Government, are 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.

The Secretary General of JNI,  Prof. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, in a statement,  called upon the authorities to conduct a thorough investigation to determine the causes of this tragic incident. In his condolence message, the Speaker of House of Representatives, Abbas described the tragic 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.

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.”