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Nigeria unrest: Kano mosque explosions 'kill dozens' | Nigeria unrest: Kano mosque explosions 'kill dozens' |
(34 minutes later) | |
Dozens of people have been killed in explosions during Friday prayers at one of the biggest mosques in the Nigerian city of Kano, reports say. | Dozens of people have been killed in explosions during Friday prayers at one of the biggest mosques in the Nigerian city of Kano, reports say. |
Many more people have been hurt, with one rescue official putting casualty figures at just under 200. | Many more people have been hurt, with one rescue official putting casualty figures at just under 200. |
The Central Mosque is where the influential Muslim leader, the Emir of Kano, usually leads prayers. | The Central Mosque is where the influential Muslim leader, the Emir of Kano, usually leads prayers. |
The emir recently called for people to arm themselves against Islamist militant group Boko Haram. | The emir recently called for people to arm themselves against Islamist militant group Boko Haram. |
The group has been waging an insurgency in Nigeria since 2009 and has killed more than 2,000 people this year, rights groups say. | |
'People screaming' | |
Some reports said there was gunfire in Kano after the explosions. | Some reports said there was gunfire in Kano after the explosions. |
The rescue official, speaking to Agence France-Presse, put the casualty toll at 64 dead and 126 hurt, although this has not been independently confirmed. | The rescue official, speaking to Agence France-Presse, put the casualty toll at 64 dead and 126 hurt, although this has not been independently confirmed. |
One worshipper, Aminu Abdullahi, told the agency: "Two bombs exploded, one after the other, in the premises of the mosque seconds after the prayers had started." | |
He said the third blast was on a nearby road. | He said the third blast was on a nearby road. |
One local reporter, Chijjani Usman, told Reuters he was "face to face with people screaming". | |
BBC Hausa editor Mansur Liman said one witness at a local hospital had described the scenes there as being the most horrible he had ever seen. | BBC Hausa editor Mansur Liman said one witness at a local hospital had described the scenes there as being the most horrible he had ever seen. |
Our editor says Boko Haram will be the main suspects, as the attack bore all the hallmarks of the group. | Our editor says Boko Haram will be the main suspects, as the attack bore all the hallmarks of the group. |
No-one from the group has yet commented. | |
Boko Haram has stepped up attacks against civilian targets since the Nigerian military launched an offensive last year. | |
Boko Haram was also behind the kidnapping of more than 200 schoolgirls from Chibok in Borno state this year, an act that sparked international outrage. | |
Who are Boko Haram? | |
Who are Boko Haram? | |
Profile: Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau | |
'Call for anarchy' | 'Call for anarchy' |
The emir, Lamido Sanusi, is currently in Saudi Arabia. | |
Reliable sources in the emir's palace told the BBC that he had arrived in Saudi Arabia late on Thursday night from Paris. | Reliable sources in the emir's palace told the BBC that he had arrived in Saudi Arabia late on Thursday night from Paris. |
Boko Haram has targeted the city, the largest in northern Nigeria, several times during its insurgency. | |
But most of its attacks are further east - in Borno and neighbouring states. | |
Earlier this month, the emir told a prayer meeting that people should "acquire what they need" to protect themselves. | Earlier this month, the emir told a prayer meeting that people should "acquire what they need" to protect themselves. |
A police spokesman said the emir's comments were a "call for anarchy" and should not be acted on. | A police spokesman said the emir's comments were a "call for anarchy" and should not be acted on. |
The emir, who until earlier this year was governor of Nigeria's central bank, normally stays silent on political matters. | The emir, who until earlier this year was governor of Nigeria's central bank, normally stays silent on political matters. |
Are you in Kano? Do you have any information about the incident? You can share your experience by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. If you would like to speak to a BBC journalist please leave a contact number. | Are you in Kano? Do you have any information about the incident? You can share your experience by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. If you would like to speak to a BBC journalist please leave a contact number. |
Have your say | Have your say |
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (international). Or you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (international). Or you can upload here. |
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