Kano bombers disguised as fruit sellers

 More details have emerged on Monday’s twin explosions by Boko Haram in Kano metropolis even as survivors recounted how they cheated death. The Joint Security Task Force (JTF) and the police said 12 people died while 12 others were injured. Ohanaeze Ndigbo disagreed with the figures, saying 45 people lost their lives.

It was confirmed that the lone bomber hid the Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in a wheelbarrow, disguising as a fruit seller before they were detonated at New and Enugu/Igbo Road, all in Sabon-Gari, populated by non-indigenes, mostly the Igbos.

One explosion went off at 41 New Road, the Christ Salvation Pentecostal Church at the peak of evening worship.

Meanwhile, several families were yet to discover the whereabouts of their relatives. It was learnt that at least, eight wounded persons were hospitalized.

Speaking from his hospital bed at the Emergency Unit of the Armed Forces Hospital in the state capital, Mr Chika Ekenne said the blasts took them by surprise, adding that but for the mercy of God, he would have died from the explosion.

Ekenne, who had deep wounds on his left shoulder in addition to several sharp cuts, said he was hit by the second explosion that occurred in New Road area of Sabon -Garri Area.

According to the JTF, the incident could have been avoided if the residents had maintained vigilance by reporting to the authorities, strange objects. Capt. Iweha recalled that the task force had urged people to keep an eye on their environments as there was a tip-off that the terror group had planned to attack Kano.

Also, the state police command, in a statement by Mr. Magaji Magiya, confirmed the JTF’s casualty figures.

Reacting to the attack, president of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Kano State Chapter, Chief Tobias Michael Idika, claimed that 45 people were killed even as he called on President Goodluck Jonathan to take urgent steps to strengthen security of lives and property of residents in the northern parts of the country.

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), through its state chairman, Bishop Ramos Bello, condemned the attack. He prayed God to receive the departed souls and comfort the wounded. He appealed for deployment of more troops in the state.

Meanwhile, the state government has condemned the attack. Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso who visited the scenes, described the attack as devastating. He promised to pay for the treatment of the injured victims.