Horror: Red Cross officials load bodies into a truck in Nigeria's northern city of Kano

Smoke rises from the police headquarters as people run for safety in Nigeria's northern city of Kano

People watch as smoke rises from the police headquarters after it was hit by a blast in Nigeria's northern city of Kano

Horror: Red Cross officials load bodies into a truck in Nigeria's northern city of Kano

An unidentified journalist lies dead after an explosion near the immigration office in Nigeria's northern city of Kano

People look at the body of an unidentified immigration officer after an explosion near the immigration office in Nigeria's northern city of Kano

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The main suspect in that attack, Kabiru Sokoto, escaped from police custody within 24 hours of his arrest and police have offered a 50 million naira - $309,600 - reward for information leading to his recapture.

Police arrested him on Tuesday but he escaped when their vehicle came under fire while they were taking him from police headquarters to his house in Abaji, just outside Abuja, to conduct a search there.

Last August a suicide bomber blew up the U.N. Nigeria headquarters in Abuja, killing at least 24

People watch as smoke rises from the police headquarters after it was hit by a blast in Nigeria's northern city of Kano January 20, 2012.

LAGOS, NIGERIA—An official at a hospital in northern Nigeria says at least 143 people have been killed in co-ordinated attacks in the nation’s second largest city claimed by a radical Islamist sect.

The official said Saturday that the figure represented those in a mortuary at Kano’s largest hospital, as well as those whose bodies have already been claimed by families for burial.

The official spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to speak to journalists.

The sect known as Boko Haram claimed the attacks Friday in the city of more than 9 million people.

President  Jonathan Condoles with Channels TV, Others on Kano Incident

President Goodluck Jonathan has expressed his condolences to all victims, including the management and staff of Channels Television, following the multiple bomb blasts and acts of violence which rocked the city of Kano on Friday, in which seven persons were confirmed dead and others wounded. Among the seven persons killed in the incident was a reporter with Channels Television in Kano, Mr Enenche Akogwu. Mr Akogwu was reportedly shot and killed while on duty during the exchange of fire between men and officers of the Nigeria Police and the terrorists at the Farm Centre Police Station, Kano.

      President Jonathan who said he was greatly saddened by the incident which  led to the loss of lives of innocent Nigerians,  pledged to get to the root of the incident while assuring the management and staff of Channels Television which lost its Kano-based correspondent and indeed all Nigerians, that those behind these acts of terrorism would  be made to face the full wrath of the law.

      He commended the media as the Fourth Estate of the Realm for living up to its constitutional and noble responsibility in these critical times and assured all journalists that  “the Federal Government will continue to partner with the media in a robust and patriotic manner in the drive to build, institute and sustain the administration’s transformational values and programmes for our dear country  and indeed Nigerians."

    The President further commended the media for its historic role in protecting constitutional democracy and the rule of Law in Nigeria and promised to ensure that those who lost their lives in the Kano incident do not die in vain as those behind the acts of violence will be apprehended and speedily dealt with in accordance with the Laws of the land.

   The President said: “It is with a heart  full of sadness  and pain that I convey my condolences on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria to  the families, friends, associates and relatives of all those who lost their lives in the acts of violence in Kano on Friday. These are honest and patriotic Nigerians who were brutally and recklessly cut down by agents of terror. As a responsible Government, we will not fold our hands and watch enemies of democracy, for that is what these mindless killers are, perpetrate unprecedented evil in our land. I want to re-assure Nigerians, the international Community, and members of the fourth estate of the realm, who lost one of their colleagues, a reporter with Channels Television,  that all those involved in that dastardly act would be made to face the full wrath of the law.”

Reuben Abati

Special Adviser to the President

(Media and Publicity)

21 January 2012

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KANO, Nigeria (AFP) - Multiple explosions and gunfire rocked the Nigerian city of Kano on Friday, with residents reporting an immigration office and two police stations targeted with at least one person wounded.

An AFP journalist heard what sounded to be some 20 explosions coming from two neighbourhoods in the city, the largest in Nigeria's mainly Muslim north. Smoke could also been seen coming from the areas.

The loud explosions resulted in chaos, with motorcycles and cars fleeing the areas. The amount of damage or casualties was not immediately clear, and police had not immediately commented.

"At the moment, there is a heavy shootout between the immigration personnel and the police with the attackers, and bombs explode in between," a resident near the immigration office said by phone.

"Now my dress is drenched in blood because I had to help carry someone shot in the shootout."

He said it appeared a passport office of the immigration service was targeted in the Marhaba area.

Another resident said it appeared a police station was targeted in the Unguwa Uku neighbourhood.

"Several explosions have occurred at the Yar Akwa police station," he said. "Everybody is running for his life. It's chaotic."

Scores of bomb blasts in Nigeria's north have been blamed on Islamist group Boko Haram.

President Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency in parts of four states on December 31 hard hit by attacks blamed on Boko Haram.

Kano is not included in the state of emergency and has not been previously hit by any of recent major attacks. Most of the attacks have occurred in the country's northeast.

Nigeria, Africa's most populous nation and largest oil producer, is roughly divided between a mainly Muslim north and predominately Christian south.

Comments Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 posted on 01-20-2012, 13:25:01 PM Namio Kano Rocks Again Multiple explosions have rocked Kano, the biggest city in northern Nigeria. The BBC's Yusuf Yakasai in the city says there is pandemonium with people running all over the place and plumes of smoke rising into the sky. One of the blasts hit the police headquarters and two other police stations, he says. No-one has claimed responsibility for the attacks, but Islamist militants have been behind a recent campaign of violence in the mainly Muslim north. Our reporter says after the explosions, gunshots could be heard. The blasts targeted different neighbourhoods of the city. So far he is aware of explosions at the police headquarters in the west, one police station in the centre, and another police station in the south. A reporter for the AP news agency said one of the explosions was powerful enough to shake his car several miles away from the blast. The Islamist Boko Haram group, whose name means "Western education is forbidden", wants to establish Sharia (Islamic law) in Nigeria and started to stage drive-by shootings in 2010 on government targets in its base in the north-eastern city of Maiduguri. It has stepped up its attacks in 2011, attacking the headquarters of the police and the UN in the capital, Abuja. In recent weeks, southerners, who are mostly Christians or animists, living in the north have been the targets of deadly attacks. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-16658493 posted on 01-20-2012, 13:27:58 PM Namio Re: Kano Rocks Again Kano ke? Boko Haram is in Lagos, naow! Abi Ebele miss road? posted on 01-20-2012, 14:39:07 PM Superego Re: Multiple Explosions In Kano In this sad news, there are benefits. U see, the police abandoned their responsibilities because they wished to prevent Boko from targeting them, and so Boko grew stronger and now decided to attack christians. With this, the police will be pushed to step up to their duties(other than requesting bribe) and seriously seek out and crush Boko. This is their duty, if they can't protect us, they will now do so to protect themselves. And if they scared, they should all resign and leave only those who will do what they are paid for. posted on 01-20-2012, 14:54:36 PM Ranter Re: Multiple Explosions In Kano Where the people of the north stand in all these? They want. To have the Orkar north and join Chad or Niger? Are no people left up there to whip these animals into place? posted on 01-20-2012, 14:59:30 PM Superego Re: Multiple Explosions In Kano QUOTE: Where the people of the north stand in all these? They want. To have the Orkar north and join Chad or Niger? Are no people left up there to whip these animals into place? Terrorism ABC Just like with brazen armed robbery, it is extremely hard to find sneaky terrorists, who hide, run, toss bombs and then speed off back to their hide-outs in Niger republic. This is the result of 50 years of a failed security services. Like NEPA and other departments in Nigeria, when these fail to catch up, with increased access to sophisticated weapons and communications of modernity, the lag is ever so dangerous. Decades of government neglect and corruption is now leaving more visibly deadly marks. posted on 01-20-2012, 15:18:15 PM Ranter Re: Multiple Explosions In Kano Theirs is n exercise in futiliy, what they want they can't get it, there are Christians in almost all the states, and there are moderate Muslims that wants a pluralistic/multicultural society, the whole region would just be militarized and any development put on ice. The borders up there should be seriously looked at. If they wan it to be free range territory then Nigeria should put another borders to protect the innocent posted on 01-20-2012, 15:35:06 PM Big-k Re: Multiple Explosions In Kano Open with care Immigration official killed in the blast http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/396334_10150540008090279_514965278_8778261_59645520_n.jpg posted on 01-20-2012, 15:40:26 PM Mathelize Re: Multiple Explosions In Kano Egbon Big K, are you still an advocate of one Nigeria? posted on 01-20-2012, 15:54:38 PM Big-k Re: Multiple Explosions In Kano Photo! Enenche Akogwu a reporter with Channels TV in Kano, reported to have been killed, while filming the attack at Farm center police station posted on 01-20-2012, 16:08:41 PM Big-k Re: Multiple Explosions In Kano QUOTE: Egbon Big K, are you still an advocate of one Nigeria? Define "One Nigeria" posted on 01-20-2012, 16:09:33 PM Austin Re: Multiple Explosions In Kano In 14 years I have been on the internet. In about 10 of those 14, I have said openly that the problem of this Nigeria is the Nigeria itself. And therefore Nigeria has to be disbanded in order to achieve the progress we desire. Many people were against this and some openly too. Well, it is always my pleasure to see people become convinced by the days. Meanwhile, I have nothing against either Nigeria itself or Nigerians, just that I cannot see it working as it presently is, that is all. May the soul of those killed rest in peace. And may all the others badly affected find relieve. This is sad, sad, sad. posted on 01-20-2012, 16:18:32 PM Superego Re: Multiple Explosions In Kano QUOTE: In 14 years I have been on the internet. In about 10 of those 14, I have said openly that the problem of this Nigeria is the Nigeria itself. And therefore Nigeria has to be disbanded in order to achieve the progress we desire. Many people were against this and some openly too. Well, it is always my pleasure to see people become convinced by the days. Meanwhile, I have nothing against either Nigeria itself or Nigerians, just that I cannot see it working as it presently is, that is all. May the soul of those killed rest in peace. And may all the others badly affected find relieve. This is sad, sad, sad. So us dividing into our 513 constituent tribal parts will solve the imported from UK corruption that caused our problems? posted on 01-20-2012, 16:23:28 PM Mathelize Re: Multiple Explosions In Kano @ Big K, One Nigeria is a shiit country created by Lord Lugard in 1914 only for British selfish interests. The geographical expression called One Nigeria is heading for disintegration very fast now and It's not a matter of if, but a matter of when, before 2015. Southerners in the North, you are on your own. Olusegun Olaleye posted on 01-20-2012, 16:24:46 PM Igboamaeze Re: Multiple Explosions In Kano ---- May the souls of another set of "unintended targets" (according to El Rufai) of Nuhu Ribadu's rebels rest in perfect peace and may their blood drown those who fund, protect and sympathize with Boko Haram. Have mercy Lord... posted on 01-20-2012, 16:33:59 PM Superego Re: Multiple Explosions In Kano QUOTE: @ Big K, One Nigeria is a shiit country created by Lord Lugard in 1914 only for British selfish interests. The geographical expression called One Nigeria is heading for disintegration very fast now and It's not a matter of if, but a matter of when, before 2015. Southerners in the North, you are on your own. Olusegun Olaleye U spoke truth. Nigeria, made in the UK. However the date- 2015 is also made in the US. Are you exchanging one for the other? I will rather be independent at this time. No? posted on 01-20-2012, 16:46:17 PM Tonsoyo Re: Multiple Explosions In Kano President Jonathan has created the enabling environment for Boko Haram to thrive with the subsidy nonsense. The sympathy of the Nigerian people was with the government on BH before oil subsidy removal. Now most Nigerians do not really care because of his insensitivity to the mood of the nation. I would not be surprised if these bombings were direct result of new BH recruits as a fall out from the recent massive demonstration in the city. I saw this and many more coming. Jonathan has help the recruitment effort of BH in areas where there were no incidents before now. These blood suckers will capitalize on his unpopularity. posted on 01-20-2012, 17:12:49 PM Big-k Re: Multiple Explosions In Kano QUOTE: Nigeria is a country You got it. It IS - as others ARE. Thanks. posted on 01-20-2012, 17:57:00 PM Superego Re: Multiple Explosions In Kano QUOTE: President Jonathan has created the enabling environment for Boko Haram to thrive with the subsidy nonsense. The sympathy of the Nigerian people was with the government on BH before oil subsidy removal. Now most Nigerians do not really care because of his insensitivity to the mood of the nation. I would not be surprised if these bombings were direct result of new BH recruits as a fall out from the recent massive demonstration in the city. I saw this and many more coming. Jonathan has help the recruitment effort of BH in areas where there were no incidents before now. These blood suckers will capitalize on his unpopularity. This seems so perfectly set up, it appears to be a plan. And we all know who prompted the decision Jona had to make on the fuel subsidy. 'Nigeria, targeted for destruction - Gordon Duff'. posted on 01-20-2012, 18:12:59 PM N.A.R. Re: Multiple Explosions In Kano President Goodluck, your Minister of State has said in Washington DC you are capable of handling more than one crisis at a time. We believe so also. My hope is that you are squarely focused on a solution to this Boko Haram problem. AND of course it is not helping that the MINOR progress you have made like arresting alleged BH members like Kabir Sokoto is fast becoming like a joke by allowing him to escape less than 48 hours after his arrest. You pissed off Nigerians with the fuel subsidy and now they may very well abandon you. Hold firm, brace yourself. But be wise, time is running out. May the souls of the departed rest in peace. As for Boko Haram, be careful what you ask / pray / bomb for, you might just get it... posted on 01-20-2012, 18:50:23 PM Picato Re: Multiple Explosions In Kano War is peace. Let the blood and Iron continues until resolution cometh. Super, by the way, I thought you were an ardent advocate of the "undoing" of what you termed the "pink massas" did with the Niger Area in 1914? posted on 01-20-2012, 18:56:33 PM HassanK Re: Multiple Explosions In Kano May the souls of the departed rest in peace. How much more do we need before this hapless President fires Hafiz Ringim? First, Eagle square was targeted in Abuja, on the eve of Independence day celebration! Then the UN HQ was bombed; and Boko Haram even had the nerve [more than one can say for GEJ] to take the battle to the Police HQ in Abuja! Who are the people advising this man? Can't he use his own independent judgement and try to be a man, for once? Oh I guess the lameduck is too busy trying to force Seriaki Dickson as PDP candidate for Bayelsa State, despite the clear pronouncements by the Nigerian Supreme Court in Amechi v INEC, and of course the clear adjuration of Reuben Abati in the articles titled Amaechi's victory at the Supreme Court - http://www.nigeriavillagesquare.com/articles/reuben-abati/amaechis-victory-at-the-supreme-court-18.html! When GEJ is not trying to impose candidates in his home State, like OBJ, he's reading USELESS scripts written by Reuben Abati and stuttering through same in such dour, colourless fashion, removing non-existent Petroleum subsidy, gorging himself to almost a billion Naira whilst pontificating to the rest of us to make sacrifices. BARAWO! E no go better for the sege wey foist this mumu on Nigerians! posted on 01-20-2012, 18:59:31 PM Superego Re: Multiple Explosions In Kano Picato. That was till I saw how eager the white man is/was that it is undone. Then I had to re-check the best way out of the mess they created. Which will be a non violent, well thought out, move, in 50-100 years. Definitely not urgent. Now, we must stick together, be strong and be peace. Then we can help each other into our separate sections, amicably, in 50-100 yrs time. Any thing else and our parts will keep breaking and US-NATO wil steal and suck dry all pieces with oil or other wealth...till their oil finishes. And then what? They will beg to rejoin. posted on 01-20-2012, 20:10:44 PM Patcho Re: Multiple Explosions In Kano @Big K: I like that "Open with Care." You are a gentleman. Thanks. This is all I can say over this bombing. Nothing more! Nothing less! posted on 01-21-2012, 08:03:02 AM Agensheku Re: Multiple Explosions In Kano QUOTE: President Goodluck, your Minister of State has said in Washington DC you are capable of handling more than one crisis at a time. We believe so also. My hope is that you are squarely focused on a solution to this Boko Haram problem. AND of course it is not helping that the MINOR progress you have made like arresting alleged BH members like Kabir Sokoto is fast becoming like a joke by allowing him to escape less than 48 hours after his arrest. You pissed off Nigerians with the fuel subsidy and now they may very well abandon you. Hold firm, brace yourself. But be wise, time is running out. May the souls of the departed rest in peace. As for Boko Haram, be careful what you ask / pray / bomb for, you might just get it... Big-k, I told you NAR could be very frank and objective when he wishes to. Now this! It appears GEJ depends solely on technocrats to run his government and he is busy relating with the wrong politicians, hence his several missteps. Right now they are busy scheming how to win the governorship election in february in Bayelsa state. I warned pointedly in the "Military floods Lagos" that the Kano state that should be militarized is ignored even when they were still demonstrating after the strike. Here are my exact words: QUOTE: \"Does GEJ know the ordinary meaning of DOUBLE STANDARDS? Lagos civil society groups hold peaceful rallies, you flood the streets with soldiers...Kano holds \"peaceful protests\" bringing life to a halt, you pretend all is well! If the Kano protests go on today and spills into tomorrow Friday, I hope it does not get out of hands after Jumat service, and then the government would have itself to blame. Meanwhile, Pastor Tunde Bakare has promised that Lagos would have a big rally on saturday. Will soldiers mow down the rally participants in Lagos? The clouds are gathering, and behind the clouds....!\"Agens Its now up to GEJ to roll up his sleeves and behave as a true leader. If he wants to use carrots to appease BH, let him go ahead and if its the stick approach, its up to him. To pretend all is well and keep on politicking is dangerous. So, help him God! posted on 01-21-2012, 08:23:52 AM Anwulika Re: Multiple Explosions In Kano Islamist sect claims responsibility for Nigeria blasts posted on 01-21-2012, 08:54:10 AM Mikky jaga Re: Multiple Explosions In Kano Sorry Kano people. Na Jona wey no know wetin he dey do allowed BH penetrate una city. E go better sha. posted on 01-21-2012, 09:09:08 AM Igboamaeze Re: Multiple Explosions In Kano QUOTE: Sorry Kano people. Na Jona wey no know wetin he dey do allowed BH penetrate una city. E go better sha. ---- Mikky, Let Jona be. Blame those who urge Boko Haram on. Blame those who said that Boko Haram are rebels and that their victims are unintended targets. MJ pray that Boko Haram targets a few prominent traditional, religious and political families in the North. That's when their sponsors will do what is necessary to stop this madness. Please count Jona out of this... posted on 01-21-2012, 09:25:25 AM Mikky jaga Re: Multiple Explosions In Kano QUOTE: ---- Mikky, Let Jona be. Blame those who urge Boko Haram on. Blame those who said that Boko Haram are rebels and that their victims are unintended targets. MJ pray that Boko Haram targets a few prominent traditional, religious and political families in the North. That's when their sponsors will do what is necessary to stop this madness. Please Jona on this... Okay, I blame the faceless people beating the drums Jona is dancing to. posted on 01-21-2012, 09:44:52 AM Ewuro Re: Multiple Explosions In Kano QUOTE: ---- Mikky, Let Jona be. Blame those who urge Boko Haram on. Blame those who said that Boko Haram are rebels and that their victims are unintended targets. MJ pray that Boko Haram targets a few prominent traditional, religious and political families in the North. That's when their sponsors will do what is necessary to stop this madness. Please count Jona out of this... Jonathan has become more dangerous than BH.. posted on 01-21-2012, 09:58:32 AM Austin Re: Multiple Explosions In Kano Super, The problem with you is that it appears you can neither see not think beyond OIL and your so-called PINK MASSAs. And now you propose a solution that will take 50-100 years to germinate. You want to postpone something that can be done and achieved tomorrow to between 50 and 100 years? You are joking right? You really want both the Nigerians alive and those yet to be born, to endure this mess for another hundred years? Well, maybe because of your background, you are unable to really grasp the reality of Nigerians on the ground; or perhaps you managed to do, but have now almost completely lost touch. In which case I would like to remind you, that the reality for the people on the ground is really really bad. To them Nigeria sucks to high heavens and, they will give anything to swap it for something else. And I mean both the elites as well as the commoners. Go to the Full Discussion Thread Comments Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7