Dozens dead, hundreds injured in Nigerian mosque attack

World Today

Nigeria mosque attackVolunteers remove blood-stained carpets from the central mosque in northern Nigeria’s largest city of Kano on November 29, 2014, a day after twin suicide blasts hit the mosque during weekly Friday prayers. (AFP PHOTO: AMINU ABUBAKAR)

At least 100 people were killed by explosions and gunfire at a Nigeria mosque Friday as hundreds of worshipers gathered in the northern city of Kano. Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan condemned the attack, as authorities searched for those responsible.

There were conflicting reports on the death toll from the attack. Some put it at 81, while other reports indicate as many as 120 people were dead and hundreds of others were injured.

The attackers opened fire on the mosque while three explosions ripped through the building as hundreds were gathered to pray.

The government condemned the violence. President Jonathan released a statement ordering the country’s security services to launch a massive man hunt for those responsible.

So far, no one claimed responsibility for the latest attack in a series blamed on militants. Islamist group Boko Haram was the main suspect for the attack as it controls large parts of north-eastern Nigeria.

Their traditional stronghold is the city of Maiduguri. Security forces said they foiled an attack in the city in a separate incident. They reportedly defused six bombs planted in a mosque and a nearby market. That comes just days after twin female suicide bombers targeted a busy market in the city.

CCTV America’s Jane Kiyo reported the story.