Multiple bomb blasts greeted the city of Kano on the calm evening of Friday January 20, 2012 at about 7:30pm.The blasts targeted State and National Security apparatus in Kano State.
The Zonal Police Headquarter of Zone 1 located along Bayero University Road exprienced the first bomb which was, according to sources, a suicide bomber who drove a fairly new vehicle believed to be a Toyota car into the complex. The vehicle was loaded with high grade explosives which detonated as the vehicle crashed into the complex. The explosion was reported to be massive. The Zone 1 police station got fire and was burnt completely as a result. The AIG’s office is housed inside the said police station.
Exactly one hour following the first explosion, another police station located at “farm center” was rocked by a bomb – causing the police officers to panic into shooting their AK47 sporadically into the air – in attempts to ward off – attackers. Minutes later, another police station located along Bompai road near sabon gari was bombed – simultaneously, the residence of the AIG was bombed.
Amidst the ruckus, the police officers at the other remaining police stations was reported to begin shooting sporadically in the air. And the pedestrians and motorist were said to be in total confusion – as the traffic laws were not obeyed. Vehicular movement along Hadeja road became erratic and non-directional.
Moments later, the office of the immigration and naturalization was bombed. A failed attempt at bombing the office of the State Security Services [SSS] resulted in the death of the would-be bomber. The SSS officers were said to have reacted to gun down the would-be bomber or attacker.
Information available to 247ureports.com indicate that scores of casualties were incurred in the broad attack. Some of the victims were carried to the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital [AKTH] located along Court road in Hawusaya, Kano. Many of the victims delivered to AKTH were those that sustained gunshot wounds. It was gathered that a good number of the gunshot wound were sustained as the police officers shot their AK47s into the air in panic.
The bombing comes a few days after the call to end the NLC/TUC lead strike/mass protests nationwide. The Kano State Chapter of the NLC along with other non governmental organizations, following the call to halt the strike, defied the call and continued with the strike action. The Kano State NLC led strike was called off two days ago.
The Islamic militant group, Boko Haram, as 247ureports.com gathered, has claimed responsibility for the attack. The group is said to have circulated leaflets throughout Kano claiming responsibility.
The Police Public Relations Officer [PPRO], Malam Magaji was not injured in the attack. It is not certain the whereabouts of AIG. Channels Television reporter Enenche Akogwu was reported killed at one of the police stations.
