Four persons were killed on Saturday evening in Kano after gunmen opened fire on a group of men playing cards at Gaidam near Filin Kashu in Kumbotso Local Government Area of the state. The attack, which also left two others injured, is the third in a series of raids on poker joints by gunmen in the state recently.
Last week, three poker players were killed, while five others were injured by gunmen, who were riding on motorcycles at Tukuntawa Layin Shehu Zaiti.
It was gathered that the attack on Saturday occurred around 5pm when two gunmen arrived the poker joint, known as Majalisar Hamisu Gurgu, on a motorcycle and shot at the men playing cards.
Witnesses said one of the assailants was heard calling the men, "foolish gamblers", before opening fire at them.
Daily Trust learnt that three persons died on the spot, while the fourth died in the hospital.
A friend to one of the deceased told our correspondent that his friend, Aminu Shugaba, was shot in the head by the gunmen.
"He died immediately. Many people also sustained injuries as they tried to escape," said Ilu.
A housewife, who does not want her name mentioned, told Daily Trust that three gunmen arrived the area before the attack, adding that one of the men was stationed near her residence.
She added that nobody knew what their motive was until they heard gunshots in the area. "After that two persons came shooting into the air on a motorbike and picked their partner. Three of them then left. We were told that they attacked and killed poker players," she said.
The attack created serious panic among residents of the area, such that many of them were scared of going to the mosque to observe the night prayers, it was learnt.
Meanwhile, hundreds of sympathizers have attended the funeral prayers of the slain men which were held yesterday.
When contacted, Deputy Police Public Relations Officer of the Kano State Police Command, ASP Musa Magaji Majiya said after the attack, the police evacuated three corpses and the two injured persons to the hospital.
"We have since commenced investigations," he said.
Daily Trust