Soldier, Suicide Bomber, 4 Others Killed In Kano Blasts

Hours after an anti-bomb squad of the Nigeria Police detonated improvised explosive devices (IEDs) near Sheikh Isyaka Rabius mosque laden in a Peugeot car, twin blasts that simultaneously rocked a Catholic church and a police checkpoint in Kano claimed the life of a soldier, a suicide bomber and four others yesterday afternoon.

The first blast occurred at Saint Charles Catholic Church, Zungeru Road, Sabon Gari, shortly after the Sunday Mass and the second at Kofar Nassarawa, near a newly constructed flyover, all within. Kano metropolis.

Commissioner of police, Kano State Command, Adelenre Shinaba, who confirmed the incident told reporters in Kano that the blast killed a soldier, a toddler and three others.

The police commissioner disclosed that eight other worshippers received various degrees of injury during the attack.

The police boss also revealed that a 15-year-old female suicide bomber blew up herself at a police checkpoint, leaving five officers injured.

Mr Shinaba said that the incident occurred at Gidan Murtala, by Kofar Nasarawa overhead bridge, around 1pm, adding that four of the affected officers had been treated and discharged.

One suicide woman bomber was involved in the Nassarawa flyover incident.

It was confirmed by the commissioner that a female bomber was about to ram into some police personnel that were stationed there to man the traffic congestion during the Sallah festivity.

The explosive exploded on her before reaching our men, he disclosed.

An eyewitness said he saw five policemen who received various degrees of injuries at the Kofar Nassarawa area.

At the Saint Charles Catholic Church, the terrorists were said to have used one primary school that was located behind the church where people parked their vehicles, because they could not get access to the church premises.

They threw the explosives from behind, which led to the death of five people and left eight others injured.

The inability of the terrorists to gain entrance into the church was seen as a result of the good secuity system put in places of worship during the Muslim festivity period, an action commended by Mr Gabriel George, a resident of Sabon Gari area. The state commissioner of police called on the public to always report suspicious movements around them. He said that it was the work of a good samaritan that helped in preventing the explosion at Sheikh Isyaka Rabius Mosque.

He called on people to continue with their normal businesses and continue to pray for peace in the state and the country in general.

Police arrest 5 suspects

The Nigeria Police said it has arrested five of the suspects who carried out the attack on St. Charles Church and the averted attack on the Isyaku Rabiu mosque yesterday.

The police said the arrests were made as part of ongoing investigations into the various terror-related incidents that occurred in the ancient city of Kano.

According to a statement signed by the force spokesman, ACP Frank Mba, two of the suspects were arrested in connection with the foiled bomb attack at Isyaku Rabiu Mosque, while three were arrested in connection with the attack at St. Charles Church.

As part of ongoing investigations into the various terror-related incidents that occurred in Kano, police operatives in the ancient city have arrested five male suspects for their complicity in the attacks.

Two were arrested in connection with the foiled bomb attack at Isyaku Rabiu Mosque, while three were arrested in connection with the attack at St. Charles Church. All suspects are currently undergoing interrogation at different police facilities, he said.

Mba said the police have stepped up patrols and surveillance in the ancient city and other major cities across the nation. He said operatives were carrying out both overt and covert operations nationwide, while special teams were carrying out sweeping raids in suspected terrorist hideouts.