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Heavy casualties feared as bomb blast rocks mosque in northern Nigeria

28 November 2014 17:33 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. A bomb exploded as Muslim faithful gathered for prayers at the Central Mosque of northwestern Nigeria's state of Kano on Friday, said witnesses, citing fears of heavy casualties, APA reports quoting Xinhua.

The bomb ripped through the mosque, located near the Emir's palace, at about 2 p.m. local time, spokesperson of the Military Joint Task Force in the state, Cpt. Ikechukwu Eze said, while confirming the incident to Xinhua.

The military officer declined to give official figure of casualties, saying security operatives had immediately cordoned off the area to pave way for a smooth rescue operation by emergency workers.

Witnesses, however, said pandemonium had enveloped the area as sporadic gunshots followed the explosion, thereby causing fears of heavy casualties.

Unconfirmed reports said three bombs exploded near the mosque headed by Emir Sanusi Lamido Sanusi on Friday. But security reports given so far said Sanusi was safe, though he was in the mosque at the time of the incident.

A witness named Hassan Ahmed said more than 20 bodies had been evacuated, as rescue operations continued at the place of the explosion. "More people were injured," he added.

Recent attacks in Nigeria are blamed on Boko Haram, a terror group which has its known headquarters in Maiduguri and proves to be a major security threat in Africa's most populous country.

The violent attacks by Boko Haram, spanning for five years, have claimed thousands of lives, including those of women and children.