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People
gather at the site of a bomb explosion in Kano, Nigeria, Friday Nov. 28, 2014.
An explosion tore through the central mosque in Nigeria's second-largest city
on Friday, and officials feared the casualty toll would be high.. (AP
Photo/Muhammed Giginyu)
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Hundreds of people were killed and
hundreds more injured in multiple bomb attacks at the Central Mosque in Kano on
Friday, witnesses say.
GRAPHITTI NEWS monitored several sources and the body count is rising.
The exact number of deaths are still
unclear as police have not issued a figure yet. A spokesperson for the Kano
Command of the Nigeria Police Force, Mustapha Abubakar, said police were “still
taking stock of the actual persons that have died” and could not give clear
figures as of yet.
At least 92 bodies have been counted in
a Nigerian hospital morgue after a suicide bomb and gun attack at the main
mosque in Kano city, an AFP reporter said.
The correspondent counted the bodies at
the Murtala Mohammed Specialist Hospital, where hundreds of people used
torchlights on their mobile phones in a desperate attempt to identify loved
ones.
A rescue official told AFP earlier that
victims had been brought to at least three other hospitals and emergency staff
were working on updated casualty figure.
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The
Murtala Mohammed Specialist Hospital in the northern Nigerian city of Kano,
pictured on January 21, 2012 ©Aminu Abubakar (AFP)
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Some witnesses, who helped with
rescue before police arrived at the scene, said the figures may be as high as
300.
The Central Mosque is one of the
largest worship centres in the city, and is where the Emir of Kano, Muhammad
Sanusi, usually leads the prayers. The emir was away in Saudi Arabia when the
attack occurred.
The blast occurred as the Chief Imam of
the Mosque, Sani Zahradeen, was about to start the prayers.
According to witnesses, three bombs
exploded before three armed men opened fire at fleeing worshippers who survived
the explosion.
The first bomb, which went up outside
the Mosque, sent worshipers running in all directions. The blast was then
followed rapidly by two huge explosions, witnesses said. Shortly after the
attacks, hundreds of angry youth took to the streets in protest, pelting police
officers and smashing government installations, sparking fears the city may
descend into yet another round of religious unrest.
Residents said the youth were angered
by the late arrival of soldiers and police at the scene.
According to a witness, the security
forces arrived after the gunmen had escaped. The operatives then allegedly
opened fire after they were jeered by frustrated worshipers.
The riot has been quelled by the
police, a spokesperson for the force, Mr. Abubakar, said.
“We have taken care of the rioting
youths and already we have cordoned up the entire place and for now calm has
returned to the city as people do go about their businesses,” he said.
Kano
Mosque Attack: No terrorist act can destroy the Nigerian spirit — Jonathan
President Goodluck Jonathan extends
heartfelt condolences to the people and Government of Kano State over the
heinous attack on the Central Mosque in Kano, earlier today.
He commiserates with all the families
who lost their loved ones. The President calls on relief agencies and medical
personnel to deploy every possible effort to assist the injured, and the
general public to heed the call for the donation of blood by the hospitals
where the injured are being treated.
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Away in Saudi Arabia: The
new emir of the ancient northern Nigerian city of Kano and former Governor of
Central Bank Sanusi Lamido Sanusi (C) ©Aminu Abubakar (AFP)
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The President has further directed the
security agencies to launch a full-scale investigation and to leave no stone
unturned until all agents of terror undermining the right of every citizen to
life and dignity, are tracked down and brought to justice.
The President reaffirms that terrorism
in all its forms and manifestation is a despicable and unjustifiable threat to
our society. He reiterates the determination of the government to continue to
take every step to put an end to the reprehensible acts of all groups and
persons involved in acts of terrorism.
President Jonathan calls on all
Nigerians not to despair in this moment of great trial in our nation’s history
but to remain united to confront the common enemy.
The President is confident that no terrorist
act against fellow citizens will destroy the Nigerian spirit to remain
positive, resolute and united in the quest for lasting peace and security in
the country.
He appeals to all Nigerians to remain
vigilant and cooperate actively with our security agencies to win the on-going
war against terror.
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