Govt declares 24-hour curfew in Kano after suicide blast, explosions

The Kano State Government has declared 24-hour curfew after suicide blast, explosions

Meanwhile security forces in Nigeria’s second-largest city, Kano, battled gunmen after a suicide blast killed at least 6 police officers and several other major explosions targeted them Friday.

The city erupted in chaos, with some 20 explosions heard and at least five police offices thought to have been targeted.

Local television was reporting that scores were feared dead in the attacks. Police were not responding to phone calls, but the state government announced a 24-hour curfew until further notice.

It was not immediately clear who was behind the violence, though previous such attacks in Nigeria’s north have been blamed on Islamist group Boko Haram.

A senior police source said the suicide blast occurred at a regional police headquarters. Residents reported blasts and gunfire at the state police headquarters and said that at least two other police posts appeared to have been targeted.

An explosion was also heard in the area of a secret police office.

“There was a suicide attack on the police zone 1 headquarters,” the senior police source said on condition of anonymity. “So far two officers have been killed and the bomber also.”

The  emergency agency confirmed several explosions, including one reported at the regional police office, but were unable to get immediate access due to blocked roads.

“Scary. Multiple explosions at different spots targeting security agencies in Kano today,” Yushau Shuaib, spokesman for the National Emergency Management Agency said in a text message.

“Rescue workers evacuating victims to hospitals. No official casualty figures for now.”