This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-27465113

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Nigeria suicide blast leaves four dead in Kano Nigeria's Boko Haram crisis: Kano suicide attack
(about 7 hours later)
A suicide blast in the northern Nigerian city of Kano has killed four people, police say. A suicide blast in a street full of bars and restaurants in the northern Nigerian city of Kano has killed four people, police say.
They say that the blast happened in a street with many bars and night spots. One of those killed was a girl aged 12, they say.
Witnesses say that the explosion was caused by a bomb in a car in the predominantly Christian area of Sabon Gari. The blast could be heard from several miles away. Witnesses say the explosion was caused by a bomb in a car in the mainly Christian area of Sabon Gari.
The militant Islamist group Boko Haram has carried out attacks in Kano state and other areas of northern Nigeria. The area has previously been targeted by Boko Haram Islamist militants but it is the first attack on Nigeria's second biggest city for several months.
"At about 22:00 (21:00 GMT), we heard an explosion and immediately mobilised to the scene where we discovered a suicide bomber... Five people, including the bomber, were killed," Kano Police Commissioner Adelere Shinaba said. More than 1,000 people have been killed in Boko Haram attacks this year but the government has said it has pushed the militants back into their strongholds in the north-eastern Borno state.
This is where they seized more than 200 girls last month, in a case which shocked the world and prompted foreign powers to send military advisors to assist Nigeria's army tackle the insurgency.
The street in Sabon Gari was full of revellers and street hawkers when a car exploded.
The BBC's Will Ross in Nigeria says that Sunday's blast was so powerful that all that remains of the car is its engine. The blast could be heard from several miles away.
"At about 22:00 [21:00 GMT], we heard an explosion and immediately mobilised to the scene where we discovered a suicide bomber... Five people, including the bomber, were killed," Kano Police Commissioner Adelere Shinaba said.
He said that the victims were "three men and a girl of about 12".He said that the victims were "three men and a girl of about 12".
The BBC's Will Ross in Nigeria says that Sunday's blast was so powerful that all that remains of the car is its engine.
Kano is the largest city in the mainly Muslim north of Nigeria.Kano is the largest city in the mainly Muslim north of Nigeria.
The bars and alcohol-sellers in its Sabon Gari area have been targeted on numerous other occasions.
In January 2012, about 150 people died there in a series of co-ordinated attacks by Boko Haram.In January 2012, about 150 people died there in a series of co-ordinated attacks by Boko Haram.
The group is fighting to overthrow the Nigeria government and create an Islamic state.The group is fighting to overthrow the Nigeria government and create an Islamic state.
The bombing comes as the Nigerian authorities continue the search for more than 200 schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram. But it has often attacked Muslims, including preachers who disagree with its interpretation of Islam.
The abducted schoolgirls, who include Christians and Muslims, were seized on 14 April in the north-east Nigerian town of Chibok in Borno state. The Nigerian authorities are continuing the search for the kidnapped schoolgirls kidnapped.
The abducted schoolgirls, who include Christians and Muslims, were seized on 14 April.
Boko Haram released a video last week showing more than 100 of the girls and offering an exchange for prisoners.Boko Haram released a video last week showing more than 100 of the girls and offering an exchange for prisoners.
African leaders meeting in Paris at the weekend agreed to wage "war" on Boko Haram, pledging to share intelligence and co-ordinate action against the group.African leaders meeting in Paris at the weekend agreed to wage "war" on Boko Haram, pledging to share intelligence and co-ordinate action against the group.
French President Francois Hollande called Boko Haram a "major threat to West and Central Africa", and said it had links with al-Qaeda's North-African arm and "other terrorist organisations".French President Francois Hollande called Boko Haram a "major threat to West and Central Africa", and said it had links with al-Qaeda's North-African arm and "other terrorist organisations".
The unrest in Nigeria has not just been confined to the north.The unrest in Nigeria has not just been confined to the north.
Earlier this month a car bomb in the capital Abuja killed at least 19 people and injured 60 more.Earlier this month a car bomb in the capital Abuja killed at least 19 people and injured 60 more.
The explosion happened close to a bus station where at least 70 people died in a bomb blast on 14 April.The explosion happened close to a bus station where at least 70 people died in a bomb blast on 14 April.