120 Feared Dead In Kano Mosque Terrorists Attack

Multiple bombs went off at the Central Mosque in Kano at about 2pm, as Muslims were having their Friday prayers on November 28, 2014.

The Kano Central Mosque is close to the emir's palace. The Emir of Kano Sanusi Lamido Sanusi is believed to be inside the mosque, as he usually leads the prayers on Fridays.

However, PremiumTimes reported this Fridays' sermon was led by the Imam of the mosque, Sani Zahradeen.

SaharaReporters informed, with the reference to a source in the NEMA, the death toll reached 100, while 150 people were injured.

TheNation reported in the morning of November 29, Saturday, that at least 120 worshippers lost their lives in bomb attacks and gunfire. Approximately 128 people sustained various degrees of injuries. Many remain in critical condition.

UPDATED:

The Vanguard is reporting from credible eyewitness that the number of casualties is now above two hundred.

According to the source, who was close to the Mosque, the deafening sound triggered pandemonium and stampede within and around the mosque.

He said: “I personally counted 70 lifeless bodies inside the mosque and over 150 bodies were recovered from outside. The most painful aspect of the development was that most of the victims were children,” the eyewitness, who did not give his name told Saturday Vanguard.

Another source said that there had been two attempts on the life of the former Emir near the another Mosque that is about six kilometres away from the scene of yesterday’s attack but wondered why nothing was done by the security agents to address the threat.

The eyewitness said that many children who accompanied their guardians to the mosque were trampled during the ensuing confusion.

It was learned that there was sporadic gunshots after the blast, while several worshippers fleeing the scene were felled by stray bullets.

Read how the story developed below:

A twitter user, Aye Dee, was among the first to report about the terrorists' attack:

The number of casualties is not clear yet. According to AFP report, there are indications that it was a triple bomb blast. One of the rescue officials put the casualty toll at 64 dead and 126 injured, although this has not been independently confirmed.

DCP Samuel Lemu of Nigeria Police Command in Kano State confirms 35 people dead and 150 others injured in bomb attack on Kano Central Mosque on Friday.

READ ALSO: Jonathan Extends Condolences To Kano People, Calls Not To Despair

A twitter user, @Salipullo, claimed to have seen many victims, including children, being rushed to a hospital. He also reported about sporadic gunshots being heard:

An Indian who resides in Kano tweeting with the handle @archittiwari claims the Emir of Kano is out of town. He also claimed there were three explosions targeted at the Central Mosque

According to the witness, gunmen exploded bombs and opened fire on worshippers gathered at the central mosque of north Nigeria’s biggest city, Kano. At least six of the terrorists were killed by the security operatives who arrived the scene and confronted them.

He said: “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 for prayers himself."

Eyewitness describes the scene of attack:

It would be recalled that the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has recently advised Nigerians to defend themselves against Boko Haram's attacks.

Source: Legit.ng