Kano REC, Family Killed in Fire Mishap

Mikhail Abdullahi, Resident Electoral Commissioner of Kano State and three other members of his family have died in a mysterious fire that allegedly started early Friday morning.

Abdullahi died alongside his wife and two children when fire gutted their home situated in Nassarawa GRA, Kano State, around 4:00am on Friday.

Eyewitnesses reported that attempts by people to rescue the family proved abortive.

Magaji Majiya, Kano State Police spokesman confirmed the incident saying that Mikhail and his family died after a futile attempt to escape from the inferno through the window of their apartment, as fire later spread to other parts of the house.

Majiya explained that the fire was suspected to have been caused by a spark in the family’s generator and their attempt to escape through the window of one of the toilets in the building were hindered by a burglary barrier.

The late INEC official and his family were rushed to the Murtala Mohammed Specialist Hospital, Kano, where they were later confirmed dead. The bodies of the victims have been taken to Dutse, Jigawa State capital, which is Mikhail’s native town, for burial in line with Islamic tradition.

According to the police, more information about the incident would be released after an autopsy on the remains of Abdullahi and his family.

Abdullahi led the team of INEC officials that successfully conducted the Presidential and National Assembly elections in Kano State on March 28.