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Nigeria unrest: Kano mosque explosions 'kill dozens' Nigeria unrest: Kano mosque attack 'kills dozens'
(35 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 have been killed in a gun and bomb attack 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.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''People screaming'
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."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.
The attackers also turned gunfire on worshippers.
One local reporter, Chijjani Usman, told Reuters he was "face to face with people screaming".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.
Analysis: Tomi Oladipo, BBC Africa security correspondent, Lagos
It is clear it is not only Christians who face the threat of violence in northern Nigeria. This is a major mosque, frequented by one of the country's most influential Muslim leaders, Kano's emir.
Emir Muhammad Sanusi II has criticised Boko Haram and only last week urged civilians to take up arms against the group. This has raised questions as to whether he was the target of today's attack - although he was out of the country at the time.
While violence in remote rural areas is no longer news for many Nigerians, the increasing attacks in larger cities are sending shockwaves across the country. The military's ongoing counter-terrorism efforts will need more concrete results to boost public confidence.
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.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 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.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?
Who are Boko Haram?Who are Boko Haram?
Profile: Boko Haram leader Abubakar ShekauProfile: Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau
'Call for anarchy''Call for anarchy'
The emir, Lamido Sanusi, is currently in Saudi Arabia. The emir, Muhammad Sanusi II, 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.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.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.
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