Suicide bomber kills 21 during Shia procession in Nigeria's Kano state

It was another tragic weekend in Kano as 21 Shitte members were feared dead with oth­ers injured when a suicide bomber blew himself up among the procession.

Kano State Police Com­missioner, Alhaji Muham­mad Musa Katsina, who confirmed the bomb blast, however declined to confirm the casualty figure.

Speaking to over the telephone, the com­missioner said that the inci­dent happened on a farmland in Dakasoye village in Garun Mallam Local Goverment Area of Kano, when mem­bers of the sect were trekking to Zaria, Kaduna State.

He said that the suicide bomber detonated a high calibre improvised explosive device. He also said that the police are concerned with ensuring safety of the proces­sion.

It was gathered that the procession comprised Shiite members from Jigawa State, who joined their col­leagues in Kano yesterday for the procession to Zaria for the annual event.

Witnesses described the suicide bomber as a young man, who rammed into the procession about 2pm.

Credible sources said that while some of the wounded were moved to Murtala Mu­hammed Specialists Hospi­tal, Kano, others were moved to Zaria for medical attention.

But there was no official indication of casualties and one of the organisers told AFP: “It’s a huge crowd so it’s too early to give a precise casualty figure.

“We now have the other suspect in custody.”

The organiser, who asked to remain anonymous, said the bomber ran into the crowd before he could be spotted and detonated his ex­plosives.

“He was dressed in black like everyone else. His ac­complice was initially ar­rested and confessed they were sent by Boko Haram,” he added.

“They were part of the young men abducted by Boko Haram in Mubi, Bor­no State, last year and taken to Sambisa Forest where they were given some mili­tary trainings.

“They were sent to Kano 11 days ago and kept in a house specifically for this attack.”

The bomber detonated his explosives after realis­ing that his accomplice had been arrested”, the organiser added.

Ali Kakaki, a Kano based journalist who was part of procession told Saturday Sun that despite the tragic incident, the trek to Zaria would not be aborted, add­ing that as soon as the dusts were settled, the procession would resume.

“We are unperturbed by the action of the enemy. We have proceeded with our journey to Zaria and we have prayed that Allah will grant the dead forgiveness and give them a place in para­dise, he stated. Members of the Shitte sect were trekking from Kano to Zaria in com­memoration of the life of Imam Hussain.