At last 36 people have been confirmed dead after two vehicles loaded with Improvised Explosive Devices exploded near the emir’s palace Jumaat mosque in Kano state, north-west Nigeria.
The Acting Commissioner of Police in the state, Sunusi Lemu, told reporters that over 150 others were also injured in the Friday’s explosion.
Channels Television’s correspondent reports that the explosion took place while Jumaat prayer is ongoing, describing the incident as ‘hell’ for worshippers at the Emir’s palace jummat mosque in Kano.
The impact of the explosion was said to be huge after the two vehicles loaded with explosives exploded while prayer was ongoing.
Burnt To Death
The police said one suicide bomber exploded inside the mosque killing scores of people while the car exploded outside the mosque.
“Some gunmen equally opened fire on the worshippers,” Mr Lemu said.
Meanwhile, three suspected gunmen were burnt to death after being captured by the angry youth.
Mr Lemu, who displayed their weapons, said a unit of armed policemen was in pursuit of the fleeing suspects.
Those who were injured have been taking to various hospitals for treatment, as the emir’s palace has been completely taking over by the Joint Security Forces.
A spokesman for the Joint Task Force, Captain Ikechukwu Eze, earlier confirmed the explosion.
An an eyewitness also told Channels Television that two cars exploded on a nearby road while jumaat prayer was about to begin on Friday.
“The vehicles were parked along the road very close to Qadriya House which is opposite the mosque. People died but I don’t know how many,” the eyewitness had said.
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