Eight Killed As 150-Year-Old Mosque Collapses In Zaria

A tragic incident occurred on Friday at the Zaria Central Mosque, an ancient building that dates back to over 150 years ago. A section of the mosque, which was made of mud, collapsed during the Asr prayer, killing eight worshippers and injuring 25 others.

According to Mallam Shehu Nagari, a survivor of the incident, the collapse happened in the middle of the prayer, when they were prostrating for the second time. He said he did not know how many people were affected by the collapse, as the rubble covered them.

The Emir of Zazzau, Mallam Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, who visited the scene of the incident, confirmed the death toll and expressed his condolences to the bereaved families. He said he had noticed a crack on the wall of the mosque on Thursday and had planned to send engineers to repair it, but it was too late.

He advised the Muslim faithful to pray outside the mosque until it is fixed. Also, he announced that the funeral prayer for the deceased would be held at 8.30pm on Friday at his palace.

The Kaduna State Police Command also confirmed the incident and said it had launched an investigation to determine the cause of the collapse. The police spokesperson in the state, Mohammed Jalige, said the mosque was built by one of the former emirs and had been standing for more than 100 years. He said the state Commissioner of Police had ordered a thorough inquiry into the matter.