Terrorists Bomb Ancient Mosque, Killing 81

The most important mosque in north Nigeria’s biggest city, Kano, came under attack Friday, just as worshipers were gathering to pray.

Three separate bombs and a hail of gunfire killed at least 81 people, according to Reuters. The final death count is expected to be higher.

The attack may be related to the mosque’s location — it sits next to the emir of Kano’s palace. Emir Lamido Sanusi, who was not there at the time, has been a critic of Boko Haram, a militant group that famously kidnapped hundreds of young girls and is working to impose its own particular religious will on the region.

According to the Red Cross, more than a million people have fled.

Nigeria is the largest country in Africa, by population, and has a large economy fueled by abundant oil reserves, mining and agriculture.

— Posted by Peter Z. Scheer