Sallah Day Tragedy: Female suicide bomber, 5 others killed in Kano

• Police arrest five terror suspects

From Edwin Olofu, Kano

Six people were killed, including a female suicide bomber, in two separate attacks that occurred at Saint Charles Catholic Church in Nomansland area and Kofar Nasarawa at the Kano city centre all within the Kano metropolis on Sunday.

A soldier, two men, a lady and a child were among the victims.

According to security sources, the two attacks almost occurred simultaneously, in the afternoon of the Sallah day celebration in the state.

The two bombs exploded few hours after the police discovered an Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) near Sheikh Isyaka Rabi’u’s mosque in a Peugeot car.

Confirming the blasts, the Commissioner of Police, Kano command Mr Aderenle Shinaba revealed that five people were killed at the church blast, while eight others sustained various degrees of injuries. He said that one soldier was among the people killed in the church alongside four other persons.

He also said one female suicide bomber was involved in the Nassarawa flyover incident and targeted the building of the temporary site of the North – West University where five policemen were injured by her bomb.

“The explosive exploded killing her before reaching our men,” Shinaba disclosed.

However, an eyewitness said he saw five policemen who sustained various degrees of injuries at the Kofar Nassarawa area.

The commissioner of police revealed that at the church scene, the terrorists used one primary school that is located behind the church where people park their vehicles, because they could not gain access to the church premises.

He added that the Police Command had averted a major attack in the state late Saturday when its personnel detonated a bomb found in an abandoned vehicle.

Shinaba, who addressed the media Sunday, said the police received a distress call from the members of the public that a Peugeot 406, white in colour with registration No. AA 513 ZAK was discovered abandoned at the gate of Isiayaku Rabiu Mosque located at Goron Dutse Qtrs Kano.

“On receipt of the information, our men led by the EOD Personnel were mobilized to the scene and discovered the said vehicle was loaded with IEDs primed to be detonated during today’s Eid el Fitr’s prayers.

“We immediately disconnected and dislodged the EIDs safely without causing any injury or damage,” he said.

He also said the state command is on alert and goes round sensitizing the general public on security tips, public awareness.

He asked people in the state to support the fight against terrorism.

“I urge all citizens of this country to join hands and support the command and all the security agencies in fighting terrorism and all forms of criminal activities In the State and the nation in general”.

“On our part we would continue to give our very best in providing adequate security of lives and properties as well as maintaining law and order in the State,” Mr. Shinaba said.

A bomb exploded in Kano last Thursday killing at least one person and injuring eight. The blast occurred at a busy bus park targeting travellers.

Meanwhile, the police in Kano have arrested five male suspects for their complicity in various bomb attacks in the ancient city, including the Sunday bomb blast at St. Charles Catholic Church in which at least five people were killed and eight were injured.

Two of the suspects were arrested in connection with the foiled bomb attack at Isyaku Rabiu Mosque, according to a statement from the Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba.

He said, “As part of on-going investigations into the various terror-related incidents that occurred in Kano, Police operatives have arrested five male suspects for their complicity in the attacks.

“Two were arrested in connection with the foiled attack on Isyaku Rabiu Mosque while three were arrested in connection with the attack on St. Charles Church.

“All the suspects are currently undergoing interrogation at different police facilities.” The police said.