Tension and fear have enveloped the Gwarinpa area of Nigeria's Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, following a deadly knife attack at a mosque that left three worshippers dead. The violent incident, which occurred in the early hours of the morning, culminated in the lynching of the alleged attacker by a mob of angry residents before security forces could intervene.
Early Morning Horror at Gwarinpa Mosque
The tragedy unfolded at a mosque located along 1st Avenue in the Gwarinpa District. According to eyewitness accounts, worshippers were gathering and waiting for the early morning prayers when the attack began. A witness, Muhammad Auwal, who operates a kiosk near the mosque, provided a chilling narrative of the events.
Auwal identified the first victim as an elderly man popularly known as Alhaji Wanzam, a local barber who was known for his dedication to the mosque. "Alhaji Wanzam usually came early from his nearby house to clean the mosque before attending to his customers," Auwal stated. The attacker, identified as Laminde Boka, allegedly approached Alhaji Wanzam while he was cleaning and stabbed him with a knife.
The violence did not stop there. As other worshippers attempted to intervene, the suspect, who was suspected to be under the influence of drugs, turned on them. A second victim, a grinder operator at a nearby market, was stabbed and reportedly died while being rushed to the hospital. In the ensuing chaos, the attacker chased other fleeing worshippers and stabbed a third victim who fell while trying to escape, killing him on the spot.
Community Anger Erupts in Mob Justice
Following the brutal stabbings, enraged residents in the Kado Bimko community mobilized swiftly. They overpowered the suspect, Laminde Boka, and subjected him to a violent assault. Reports indicate the mob used stones and sticks, leading to his death. This act of vigilante justice occurred before police operatives could take full control of the volatile situation.
The village head of Kado Bimko, Malam Ibrahim Isiaku, confirmed that the attack caused widespread panic. The fear was so palpable that many people who usually slept around the mosque premises fled the area. In response to the tragedy, community leaders made the decisive move to temporarily shut down the mosque.
Aftermath and New Security Measures
The community has been left to grapple with the aftermath of the bloodshed. The victims were from different parts of the country, underscoring the diverse nature of the Abuja community. The remains of Alhaji Wanzam were taken to his hometown in Gezawa, Kano State, for burial. The second victim's body was conveyed to Katsina State, while the third victim, said to be from Gombe State, was taken to Kubwa General Hospital in Abuja as relatives could not be immediately located.
In a bid to prevent a recurrence, community leaders, mosque officials, and local representatives held an emergency meeting. A key resolution from this meeting was the strict prohibition of anyone sleeping within the mosque premises henceforth. While efforts to get an official statement from the Gwarinpa Divisional Police Officer were unsuccessful at the time of reporting, a senior police officer at the station confirmed the incident and noted that investigations were ongoing.
This tragic event highlights the fragile state of public safety and the swift descent into mob justice when communities feel unprotected. It also casts a shadow over the Gwarinpa area, a bustling district in Abuja now forced to confront profound grief and insecurity.
