Police confirm 4 dead in Kano NNPC suicide attack, 6 injured in trade complex bombing

The Nigerian Police has confirmed four persons dead in the suicide attack at Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Mega Filling Station, Hotoro Quarter along Maiduguri Road, Kano.

The incident, which happened at about 10am Monday, was allegedly carried out by a female suicide bomber.

Barely four hours after this attack, another female suicide bomber targeted the Trade Fair Complex in the same city. The police in a tweet said the security barricade around the complex and Shoprite mall forced the bomber to detonate outside her target. The bomber died instantly, wounding six.

This is the fourth attack in Kano in seven days.

Meanwhile, Frank Mba, spokesperson for the Nigeria Police, said in a statement, concerning the NNPC attack, the suicide bomber slipped into a crowd of people buying kerosene at the station before detonating the bomb.

The explosion led to the death of the suicide bomber and three others while eight persons were said to be receiving treatment for various degrees of injuries.

Mba, as Assistant Commissioner of Police however said the Mega Station did not go ablaze due to the security barricade put in place by the Policemen on duty at the station.

In the last 3 years, barricades of concrete block or heavy metal work have become a common feature around government buildings, city malls, petrol stations, among others.

“Such a situation would have clearly complicated the Emergency response. Security Forces have cordoned off the scene, and Police Bomb Disposal Experts are “sweeping” the area,” he said.  “Citizens are advised to stay off the scene, be vigilant and report any suspicious person(s) or activities to security forces.

“Full scale investigation has commenced, intensive patrol of the city is ongoing.”

Meanwhile, this rise in female suicide bombers has led some to speculate that Boko Haram may be using kidnap victims like the Chibok girls taken in April.