Scores Killed as Islamic Group Launches Attacks in Nigeria

Posted on Jan 21, 2012

AP / Salisu Rabiu

A victim of Friday’s attacks is rushed into a hospital in Kano, Nigeria.

More than 150 people are dead after bombs ripped through police stations and other targets and gunbattles erupted in the Nigerian city of Kano and elsewhere in the region on Friday. A militant Islamist group called Boko Haram claimed responsibility for the attacks, which it said were in retaliation for the capture, detention and death of its members in police. —ARK

BBC:

The atmosphere in the centre of Kano is one of extreme nervousness. Crowds gather then suddenly disperse when they fear something might happen.

The army are patrolling streets, backing up the police. At one of the main mortuaries, officials are struggling to cope with the number of bodies. Special roadblocks have been set up, particularly around police stations that haven’t been attacked.

Some reports suggest the attacks might have been carried out by suicide bombers—civilians who could easily hide a few grenades under their robes.

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