Two female suicide bombers struck in different
parts of Kano on Monday, killing and injuring many on a day Muslim
faithful thronged the prayer grounds in the city to observe the Eid-el-Fitri.
The first attack took place at about 10am on a
Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Mega station at Hotoro
Quarters along Maiduguri Road. The second was at about 1.40pm at the Trade Fair
Complex entrance on Zoo Road.
But there were conflicting figures on the numbers
of the killed and injured.
Only on Sunday, a bomber hurled explosives at
worshippers in a Catholic church in the city, killing five and wounding eight.
The same day, a 15-year-old female suicide bomber killed herself
while trying to target some police officers.
There have been no claims of responsibility for
any of the blasts, but fingers point at the militant Islamist
group, Boko Haram.
A resident, Tijjani Isa, told the Associated
Press that the first bomber was standing in line with many
women buying kerosene before she set off the bomb.
Another resident was quoted by the Agence
France Presse as saying that the “female bomber who was milling in the
crowd set off explosives concealed under her dress.”
The resident, Habibu Ali, added that “several
people, mostly women, were killed.”
Ali’s account, according to the AFP, was
supported by another resident, Shehu Mudi, who said that many were killed.
But the state Commissioner of Police,
Mr. Adelenre Shinaba, told journalists that doctors at the Murtala Muhammad
Hospital confirmed the death of three, out of the 10 people evacuated from the
scene.
He added that the impact of the blast caused
partial damage to the canopy of the kerosene section of the mega station.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba,
however said in a statement that four people, including the bomber,
died while eight were injured in the mega station attack.
Mba said, “The suicide bomber and three others
have been confirmed dead, eight persons were injured and rushed to the
hospital.
“It is instructive to note that the mega station
did not go ablaze due to the security barricade put in place by the policemen
on duty at the station.
“Security forces have cordoned off the scene and
police bomb disposal experts are sweeping the area.”
He added that investigation into the incident had
begun, while security operatives had intensified patrol of the city.
The second blast occurred when the female suicide
bomber aged about 19, blew up herself and injured six
others, including two policemen at the entrance gate of the Kano Trade Fair
Complex near Shoprite.
The state Police command spokesman, Magaji Majia,
told journalists that security operatives had stopped the suspect
for screening when the IEDs hidden under her dress went off.
Majia said the policemen had been treated and
discharged, while the remaining four persons are still in hospital.
He said the mangled body of the female suicide
bomber was recovered and deposited at an undisclosed government hospital.
The police added that investigations had
commenced with a view to unravelling those behind the renewed attacks on the
city.
Meanwhile, there was heavy traffic in Kugbo,
Nyanya and Karua on the Abuja-Keffi Road on Monday due to
roadblocks set up by soldiers.
Residents going to amusement parks in the Federal
Capital Territory to enjoy Monday which was a public holiday were stranded for
many hours.
Also, presence of armed soldiers was
observed at the AYA, Central Area and the Eagle Square.
Copyright PUNCH.
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