By Sodiq Adelakun

The Lagos State Government has announced the passing of its Deputy Chief of Staff, Mr. Gboyega Soyannwo.

According to a statement signed by the Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, Soyannwo died on Wednesday after a brief illness at the age of 55.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu expressed his condolences to the Soyannwo family, describing the late Deputy Chief of Staff as a “brother and a servant of the people.

According to the statement, “In deep sorrow, the Lagos State Government announces the passing of the Deputy Chief of Staff (DCoS) to Mr. Governor, Mr. Gboyega Soyannwo.

“Soyannwo died today after a brief illness. He was 55.

“Mr. Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on behalf of the Government and people of Lagos, sends his condolences to the Soyannwo family.

“I have lost a brother and a servant of the people,” Mr. Governor said while breaking the news to the Executive Council (EXCO) meeting,

“After a minute’s silence in respect of the late DCoS, Mr. Governor ended the EXCO meeting.”

The late Gboyega Soyannwo is survived by a wife and two children.

About 24 persons were early in the morning on Wednesday critically injured following a mosque explosion at Gadan Village, Gezawa Local Government Area of Kano State

SP Abdullahi Haruna, the Public Relations Officer of the Kano Police Command, confirmed the incident in a statement on Wednesday.

According to him, “Today, 15/05/2024 at about 0520hrs, reports were received that, there was an explosion at a Mosque in Gadan Village, Gezawa LGA, Kano State, during “Subhi Prayer,” and that some people got injured.”

He further explained that on receipt of the report, the Commissioner of Police, Kano State Command, CP Mohammed Usaini Gumel, immediately deployed the command’s combined teams consisting of experts in Explosive Ordnance Disposal Chemical Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (EOD-CBRN) led by CSP Haruna Isma’il and other Crime-Scene Policemen led by Divisional Police Officer, Gezawa Division, CSP Haruna Iliya.

The scene, according to the PPRO, was cordoned-off and twenty-four victims, including 20 male adults and four male children, were evacuated and rushed to Murtala Mohammed Specialist Hospital Kano where they are currently receiving treatment.

He further explained that a forensic analysis at the preliminary stage revealed a suspected petrol explosion, of which a full investigation is ongoing, adding that the principal suspect had been identified and arrested adding that the suspect is now with the police.

The PPRO stated that the suspect is Shafi’u Abubakar, aged 38 years, who said his action was purely in hostility following prolonged family disagreement over sharing of inheritance, of which those that he alleged to have cheated him were in the mosque at that moment and he did that for his voice to be heard.

While the suspect is currently in police custody, he explained that a detailed investigation is ongoing and will be made public in due course.