2 female bombers, 4 others killed in fresh Kano blasts

From Edwin Olofu, Kano

Two female suicide bombers along with four other persons died in the busy Kantin-Kwari textile market in Kano, when they detonated explosives they were carrying on their bodies at a place known as ‘Filin Parking’ yesterday.

Some residents and security officials said the blast occurred at about 3 pm.

According to an eyewitness, who spoke to Peoples Daily, but doesn’t want his name in print, the female suicide bombers disguised as customers, and were trying to make their way into the market, when some traders became suspicious and tried to quiz them.

The eyewitness added that after the alarm was raised by the traders, the duo requested for water, claiming that they were pressed and were looking for a rest room.

“The traders didn’t allow them, which resulted in a shouting match between the traders and the two female bombers. In the ensuing argument, the first suicide bomber detonated her explosive and the second one also detonated hers, while people started running for their lives after the first explosion,” he stated.

He said that he suspected that second bomber detonated her bomb during the ensuing confusion to avoid being arrested.

Confirming the attack, Kano State Police Commissioner, Mr Aderenle Shinaba, told reporters at the scene of the attack that the explosion killed six persons including the two suicide bombers.

Shinaba stated that 7 other people sustained varying degrees of injuries and have been taken to the hospital for treatment.

He further explained that the incident happened around 2.45 p.m, when the two female bombers, who were wearing Hijab, launched the attack outside the market.

‘’We have also taken the dead ones, including the two suicide bombers to the morgue and the area has been cordoned-off, in order to prevent hoodlums from using the opportunity to loot properties in the market,” Shinaba said.

Shinaba said security agencies are working in conjunction with the officials of the market to avoid allowing criminals coming under the pretext of sympathising with the traders to loot in the market.

The Police Commissioner added that: “The Police Ordinance Unit are already working to ensure that there was no more explosives hidden somewhere in the market.”

Meanwhile, following the explosions yesterday, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has said rescue workers and security operatives have evacuated all persons affected by the blasts to hospitals and cordoned-off the location to forestall the danger of any further explosions.

According to a press statement issued yesterday by NEMA’s Press Officer, Manzo Ezekiel, the victims were evacuated to the nearby Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital and Nasarawa Hospital where they were being treated of the various degrees of injuries they have sustained.

“Rescue officers from NEMA’s North-West zonal office, led by Musa Illalah, joined state officials, security operatives and local sympathisers at the scene in carrying out the rescue and evacuation. At least more than 29 persons were rescued from the blast and taken to the hospital.

It could be recalled that less than a fortnight ago, on Friday, at the mosque near the Kano Emir’s Palace, there were similar explosions followed by sporadic shootings that resulted in the deaths and injuries of many worshippers. Some of the injured persons are still recuperating in different hospitals.

NEMA had recently distributed medical supplies to the hospitals to support the treatment of the victims of the bomb explosions.

The Agency advised the public to stay away from the explosion scenes until security operatives have cleared them as safe enough to be approached.