Gov. Uba Sani of Kaduna State has commiserated with the families of victims of Friday’ s partial collapse of Zaria Central Mosque.This is contained in a statement issued by Muhammad Shehu, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, made available to newsmen in Kaduna .
This is coming as the death toll from a mosque collapse in Zaria, in Kaduna State, has risen to 10, with seven injured.
The incident occurred at 4pm on Friday when Muslim worshipers were observing their evening prayer.
The Emir of Zazzau, Ambassador Nuhu Bamali, who confirmed the incident, said the worshipers were in the second Sujud prayer when suddenly the affected portion of the mosque collapsed on those sitting directly at the section.
The royal father further explained that the victims were covered by debris from the wall built with mud which had been in existence for the past 150 years.
He, however, directed the worshipers to pray outside the mosque pending when the repair works would be carried out.
Sani expressed sadness at the news of the collapse of the iconic mosque and the attendant loss of lives to the incident.
He thanked Emit Amb. Ahmed Bamalli, the Emir of Zaria for his fatherly role in rallying his subjects to carry out rescue operations, and offer assistance to the injured.
The governor also commended the efforts of the first-responders, medical personnel and residents of Zaria in rescuing the survivors.
Sani said that some government officials, led by Alhaji Balarabe Lawal, Secretary to the State Government, had gone to Zaria to assess the situation and attend the funeral of the deceased.
He said the government had ordered an immediate investigation into the cause of the unfortunate incident.
He noted that the Zaria Central Mosque constructed in the 1830s, had for decades opened its doors to Muslim faithful from all parts of the world.
The governor also urged residents of the state to offer prayers for the repose of the souls of the departed.
