Many Feared Dead In Bomb Blast At Kano Central Mosque

At least two car bombs have exploded outside the central mosque of north Nigeria's biggest city, Kano, just as residents were packing into the area for Friday prayers.

Rescue officials said at least 64 have been killed and 126 others injured in the explosions.

The blasts occurred outside the Emir's Palace Mosque.  Witnesses said they heard gunshots but did not know who was firing.


"Two bombs exploded, one after the other, in the premises of the Grand Mosque seconds after the prayers had started," resident Aminu Abdullahi said, adding that a third went off nearby.

The Emir, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, was said to be inside the mosque at the time, with the explosions happening in an outdoor courtyard.

There was also no immediate claim of responsibility, but suspicion is likely to fall on Boko Haram armed group, which has for five years waged a vicious insurgency against the government.

Last week,  Sanusi, a respected Muslim figure, called on the people of Nigeria to defend themselves against Boko Haram.

"These people [Boko Haram], when they attack towns, they kill boys and enslave girls… People must stand resolute," he told the Daily Post website.

"People should be sensitised on the importance of being on the alert. And they should prepare, they should acquire what they will defend themselves with," he was quoted as saying.