Nigeria's northern state of Kano under Boko Haram attack

Kano State in Nigeria

Kano City

NIGERIA, KANO - Multiple explosions have exploded in Kano, the biggest city in northern Nigeria according to local news agencies. The Hotoro area, close to the NNPC Mega station was badly hit. Sources around the area reported that the explosion was from a car carrying passengers that refused to stop for search at a military stop and search point. The military patrol team chased the car and subsequently engaged the occupants in an exchange of gun fire. The car which was alleged to be loaded with explosives exploded during the pursuit.Another explosion was reported at Tishama neighbourhood along the Eastern Bye-Pass Road following gunshots.
One of the blasts hit the police headquarters and two other police stations, according to a local reporter. No-one has claimed responsibility for the attacks, but Islamist militants have been behind a recent campaign of violence in the mainly Muslim north.

The Islamist sect, Boko Haram, whose name means "Western education is forbidden", have pledged to establish Sharia (Islamic law) in Nigeria. In 2010, the sect started to stage drive-by shootings and car explosions in 2010 on government targets in its base in the north-eastern city of Maiduguri.

The sect stepped up its attacks in 2011, attacking the headquarters of the police and the UN in the capital, Abuja. Over the years, thousands of people have been killed, especially southerners, who are mostly Christians, living in the north. Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan has been criticized for not doing enough to curb these deadly attacks.