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Nigeria unrest: President Jonathan condemns mosque attack | |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Nigeria's president has pledged "to leave no stone unturned" in tracking down the perpetrators of a mosque attack that killed dozens of people. | Nigeria's president has pledged "to leave no stone unturned" in tracking down the perpetrators of a mosque attack that killed dozens of people. |
Goodluck Jonathan urged the nation "to confront the common enemy" after the gun and bomb attack during Friday's prayers in the northern city of Kano. | Goodluck Jonathan urged the nation "to confront the common enemy" after the gun and bomb attack during Friday's prayers in the northern city of Kano. |
Many more people were injured, with one rescue official putting casualty figures at almost 400. | Many more people were injured, with one rescue official putting casualty figures at almost 400. |
Officials said the attack bore all the hallmarks of Boko Haram militant group. | Officials said the attack bore all the hallmarks of Boko Haram militant group. |
However, no-one has so far claimed responsibility for Friday's assault. | However, no-one has so far claimed responsibility for Friday's assault. |
Separately, the security forces said they had foiled an attempt to attack worshippers in the north-eastern city of Maiduguri, defusing six bombs planted in a mosque and a nearby market. | Separately, the security forces said they had foiled an attempt to attack worshippers in the north-eastern city of Maiduguri, defusing six bombs planted in a mosque and a nearby market. |
Boko Haram has been waging an insurgency in Nigeria since 2009 - and has killed more than 2,000 people this year, rights groups say. | Boko Haram has been waging an insurgency in Nigeria since 2009 - and has killed more than 2,000 people this year, rights groups say. |
'Helter-skelter' | |
In a statement, President Jonathan ordered the country's security services "to launch a full-scale investigation and to leave no stone unturned until all agents of terror undermining the right of every citizen to life and dignity are tracked down and brought to justice". | In a statement, President Jonathan ordered the country's security services "to launch a full-scale investigation and to leave no stone unturned until all agents of terror undermining the right of every citizen to life and dignity are tracked down and brought to justice". |
He said Nigerians should "remain united to confront the common enemy". | |
The government, he said, would "continue to take every step to put an end to the reprehensible acts of all groups and persons involved in acts of terrorism". | |
Police said 35 people were killed in the attack at the Central Mosque, but some eyewitnesses said far more people lost their lives. | |
The rescue official, speaking to Agence France-Presse, put the casualty toll at 120 dead and 270 hurt, although this has not been independently confirmed. | The rescue official, speaking to Agence France-Presse, put the casualty toll at 120 dead and 270 hurt, although this has not been independently confirmed. |
Three bomb explosions were reported in and around the mosque. The attackers also shot at worshippers. | |
Some reports say the first bomb was hidden in a car which was driven straight into the worshippers. | Some reports say the first bomb was hidden in a car which was driven straight into the worshippers. |
One eyewitness told the BBC's Focus on Africa: "The imam was about to start prayer when he saw somebody in a car trying to force himself into the mosque. But when people stopped him, he detonated the explosions. People started running helter-skelter." | One eyewitness told the BBC's Focus on Africa: "The imam was about to start prayer when he saw somebody in a car trying to force himself into the mosque. But when people stopped him, he detonated the explosions. People started running helter-skelter." |
Several men then opened fire on the crowd, killing more people. Three of the gunmen were caught and - as terror turned to rage - they were killed on the spot, the BBC's Will Ross in Abuja reports. | |
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. |
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 Boko Haram. | The emir recently called for people to arm themselves against Boko Haram. |
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. |
The militants were also behind the kidnapping of more than 200 schoolgirls from Chibok in Borno state this year, an act that sparked international outrage. | The militants were 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 Shekau | Profile: Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau |
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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