A renowned Islamic scholar and technology expert, Alaramma Jabir Lawan Abdullahi, was fatally attacked during an illegal horse riding ceremony in Kano State, marking a tragic end to the event.
PUNCH Metro reports that the incident occurred on Saturday near the Gidan Sarki area when Abdullahi was stabbed multiple times by suspected attackers.
The event, locally known as Kilisa, is traditionally exclusive to the royal family but was confirmed by the Kano State Police as unauthorized.
Early reports claimed that Abdullahi was assaulted by alleged phone snatchers while traveling in a tricycle stuck in traffic.
The attackers supposedly feigned a phone robbery attempt before stabbing him and escaping.
However, Kano State Police spokesperson Haruna Abdullahi clarified on Monday that the attack was not connected to phone theft.
He explained that the incident happened during the illegal Kilisa horse riding gathering, which often draws disruptive elements.
“This event tends to attract criminal activities,” the spokesperson said. “It was amid this illegal celebration that the assailants attacked and stabbed the victim.”
Authorities have assured the public that a thorough investigation is underway and that several suspects, along with four horses involved in the event, are currently held in custody.
In 2021, a similar tragic occurrence saw two elderly brothers, Inuwa and Abdurrahman Sani from Yakasai Quarters, lose their lives after being trampled during a horse riding celebration in Kano.