The terrorists thereafter opened fire on the worshippers killing 35 people in the mosque located next to the palace of the Emir of Kano, Lamido Sanusi.
But the Emir was not around during the attack.
In a swift reaction, President Goodluck Jonathan extended heartfelt condolences to the people and Government of Kano State over the heinous attack.
Kano State Deputy Police Commissioner, Sanusi Lemo, confirmed that the blasts claimed 35 lives and that 150 others were injured and are receiving treatment in hospitals.
However, sources said the casualty figure may be higher considering the fact that the mosque was packed full, coupled with the enormity of the blasts.
Several cars and motorcycles parked around the mosque were destroyed beyond recognition by the explosion.
Most of the victims of the terror attack were rushed to the Murtala Mohammed Specialist Hospital and Nasarawa Hospital.
As at last night, the two hospitals were battling to save the injured.
An eyewitness, Ahmed Mohammed Soron Dinki, said: “I was rushing to the mosque for prayers when I heard a big sound and heavy smoke followed. It was terrible. I saw more than fifty dead bodies on the ground and the majority of the dead bodies are kids and their parents.”
"These people have bombed the mosque. I am face to face with people screaming," said Chijjani Usman, a local reporter who had gone to the mosque in the old city to pray.
“Three bombs were planted in the courtyard to the mosque and they went off simultaneously,” a security source who declined to be named told Reuters.
“After multiple explosions, they also opened fire. I cannot tell you the number of casualties because we all ran away,” added a member of staff at the palace.
After the blasts, angry youths blocked the Mosque's gates to prevent the police from gaining entry. They claimed that the Police have failed to protect them. The Police had to disperse them with tear gas to gain entry.
The state’s Deputy Police Commissioner briefed the press last night and confirmed the death of 35 people and 150 others injured.
Lemu said the incident happened at about 2pm.
He said security had been beefed up in the area while investigation had since commenced.
The deputy police commissioner said the dead bodies had been deposited in the morgue.
Lemu urged the people in the state to continue to be very vigilant and report any suspected persons to the security agencies for immediate action.
Boko Haram regards the traditional Islamic religious authorities in Nigeria with disdain, considering them corrupt, self-serving elite that is too close to the secular government.
The terrorists have killed thousands in gun and bomb attacks on churches, schools, police stations, military bases, government buildings and mosques that do not share their radical Islamist ideology.
The insurgency has forced more than one million people to flee during its campaign focused on the northeast.
Islamic leaders sometimes shy away from direct criticism of Boko Haram for fear of reprisals. But Sanusi, angered by atrocities such as the kidnapping of 200 schoolgirls from the village of Chibok in April, has been increasingly vocal.
He was quoted in the local press as calling on Nigerians this month to defend themselves against Boko Haram. During a broadcast recitation of the Koran he was reported to have said: “These people, when they attack towns, they kill boys and enslave girls. People must stand resolute ... They should acquire what they can to defend themselves. People must not wait for soldiers to protect them."
Jonathan extends heartfelt condolences...
President Goodluck Jonathan has extended heartfelt condolences to the people and Government of Kano State over the heinous attack on the Central Mosque.
According to a statement by Presidential Spokesman, Reuben Abati, the President commiserated with all the families who lost their loved ones. He called on relief agencies and medical personnel to deploy every possible effort to assist the injured, and for the general public to heed the call for the donation of blood by the hospitals where the injured are being treated.
He said the President has further directed the security agencies 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.
“The President reaffirms that terrorism in all its forms and manifestation is a despicable and unjustifiable threat to our society. He reiterates the determination of the government to continue to take every step to put an end to the reprehensible acts of all groups and persons involved in acts of terrorism.
“President Jonathan calls on all Nigerians not to despair in this moment of great trial in our nation’s history but to remain united to confront the common enemy.
“The President is confident that no terrorist act against fellow citizens will destroy the Nigerian spirit to remain positive, resolute and united in the quest for lasting peace and security in the country. He appeals to all Nigerians to remain vigilant and cooperate actively with our security agencies to win the on-going war against terror," said the statement.
PDP mourns…
The Peoples Democratic Party has expressed shock over yesterday’s bomb attack in Kano, describing it as “very painful.”
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh in a statement said PDP was grief-stricken when it received the news of the gruesome attack “especially considering that the victims were harmless Nigerians who were at the mosque to offer prayers and express their allegiance and love for the Almighty God.”
“Indeed, our hearts ache for our brothers and sisters who were slaughtered in this horrible attack. We grieve for the bereaved, especially those who have been widowed and orphaned today. We share in their sorrows and pray that those behind this atrocious act must not escape justice.”
The party lamented that victims of the incessant attacks in the country were productive citizens who were making useful contributions to the growth and development of the nation.
Atiku: My heart bleeds…
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also condemned the latest bomb blasts at the Kano Central Mosque.
The former Vice President also condemned previous bomb blasts in Kontagora and Maiduguri.
In a statement in Abuja by his media office, the former Vice President said he was devastated personally by the frequency and brutality of terrorist attacks on innocent people, adding that this ceaseless violence achieves nothing.
According to him, the attacks on mosques, churches, schools, bus stations, markets, shopping plazas and other heavy human targets, defy the teachings of all known religions of the world.
The former Vice President said his heart always bleeds at this senseless violence, adding that it was high time the Boko Haram terrorists abandoned violence and embraced peace once and for all.
While calling on Nigerians to be more vigilant and share human intelligence, he at the same time called on the country's security forces to be ahead of the terrorists with better strategies.
While acknowledging that terrorism is a relatively new security challenge, he said more efforts are needed to improve detection of terrorists before they reach their targets.
He called for rigorous public education to help ordinary Nigerians identify suicide bombers before they reach their intended targets.
The former Vice President, while commending the sacrifices of our security forces, called for faster and more rigorous response to terrorist threats.
He expressed his condolences to the people and government of Kano State, Emir Sanusi Lamido Sanusi and the Kano Emirate and the families of all those who may have been killed in the heinous attacks in Kano, Kontagora and Maiduguri.
Tambuwal Condemns Blasts…
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has also condemned the multiple blasts in Kano, saying the attacks were despicable and acts of cowardice.
Tambuwal urged the citizens to be extra vigilant, adding that the synergy between the security agencies and the larger populace should be strengthened with a view to apprehending trouble makers before they strike.
According to him, efforts to tackle the war on terrorism are only as good as the intelligence gathered, as such, more needs to be done to preempt future attacks.
"In that regard, the House of Representatives will continue to play its part to support the security agencies and both the Federal and State Governments to find lasting solutions to the problem," the Speaker stated.
While condoling with the government and people of Kano over the attacks, Tambuwal appealed to all citizens to open their hearts and come to the aide of those injured.
Military averts another bomb attack in Maiduguri…
The military yesterday averted another bomb blast in Maiduguri, Borno state yesterday by swiftly detonating explosive devices planted at Customs area of the town by suspected Boko Haram terrorists.
It was discovered that the explosives were planted before break of dawn.
Sources said the terrorists were waiting for the area to be filled with people before detonating the bomb but fortunately, it was discovered and the military were alerted.
The spokesman of the youth vigilante group, Jubrin Gunda said there was no need for panic as the explosion heard was detonated by the military to forestall any casualties.
He said the attention of the security was called to a strange package dropped at the busy Custom area of the town.
Meanwhile, the sound of the detonated bomb caused panic in the town with many residents of the area remaining indoors.
Security was heightened in the town to forestall any further beach, with vehicles checked on all major roads, thus causing traffic jam.
It would be recalled that the Maiduguri Monday market, the largest in the town was attacked by suicide bombers on Tuesday, which resulted in several death and injuries.
Report from ThisDay
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