20100713
africanews

The Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, over the weekend escaped assassination attempt by a lone gunman during the Muslim Juma'at prayer in Kano.

Usman Abubakar, 19 years old, who is believed to have carried out the attack was apprehended by the police before carrying out the act and arrested Mallam Abubakar Batakaye as the master minder.

Abubakar told THISDAY at the Kano Police Command headquarters on Monday that he was sent by a Mallam with a specific instruction to kill the Emir.

“I arrived the mosque as early as 9am that day. I was sent to the place of worship by a 65-year-old Mallam Abubakar Batakaye, with a specific instruction to kill the emir,” he told the newspaper.

He disclosed that Batakaye allegedly asked him to recite one of the verses in the Holy Quran, Qurisiyu, 12,000 times before the congregational prayers to ensure the success of the deadly assignment.

Abubakar also stated that the Mallam gave him a small amulet to conceal inside his mouth in order for him to garner courage in executing the task and to mysteriously disappear afterwards.

He reiterated: “I regret this attempt to kill the emir; I seek for his forgiveness and pardon. I am under the influence of the Mallam who directed me to commit this ugly act.

“I was influenced by the Mallam who told me to commit the act. For over ten years, I have been an ally of the Mallam and his order or directive for me is like a blessing.”

Spokesman of Kano Police Command, SP Baba Mohammed Azare, confirmed the story and the arrest of the duo.

“The state commissioner of police has ordered immediate investigation of the matter.”

Batakaye has however denied ordering Abubakar to engage in the Emir’s murder.

“I have been attending that particular mosque for more than 20 years without failing; I have a place reserved for me inside the mosque. I cannot think of attacking a monarch because our religion teaches us to regard them as the father of all,” he said.