Zaria Central Mosque collapsed on Friday, killing four worshippers and injuring five others.

The Emir of Zazau, Mallam Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, who confirmed the incident, said the victims were observing the Asr prayer around 4 pm when the incident occurred.

According to him, “We had earlier observed a crack on the wall of the mosque yesterday and were planning to deploy a team of civil engineers to effect repairs when this unfortunate incident happened.”

The emir condoled the deceased’s families, just as he directed that people should pray outside the mosque pending the repairs.

The Kaduna Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Mohammed Jalige, did not pick up his phone or respond to a text message sent to him.