January 22nd, 2012
05:00 AM ET

Nigerian city on edge after bombings that killed at least 156

A northern Nigerian city targeted by bombs and a hail of gunfire remained on edge Sunday after blasts that killed at least 156 people and left the police headquarters and other government buildings in charred ruins.

Authorities lifted a daytime curfew imposed in Kano, the nation's second-largest city, after the bombings that hit eight government sites Friday.

But an overnight curfew remained between 7 p.m. to 6 a.m., according to residents

Shell-shocked residents wandered the streets, looking for loved ones. Others hid behind barricaded doors, too scared to leave for fear of more attacks.

"That's the scary part, not knowing," said Faruk Mohammed, 27, who lives near one of the bombed police stations. "We don't know what's going to happen next, no one thought this would ever happen here. There's a general sense of despair."

The attacks paired bomb blasts with shootings on eight government sites including police stations, passport office, state security headquarters and the immigration office.

During the attack, assailants entered a police station, freed detainees and bombed it, authorities said.

They later canvassed the area in a car led by motorcycles, spraying targets with gunfire.

"I counted at least 25 explosions ...," Mohammed said. "Then it went deathly quiet. Kano is a bustling city ... I've lived here for years and it has never been quiet, even at night. But after the bombings stopped, the only noise you could hear were dogs barking."

The number of deaths is expected to rise, a military official said.

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soundoff (9 Responses)
  1. Joey Isotta-Fraschini©™

    What an evolved and beautiful people!
    A-doin' what comes naturally.

    January 22, 2012 at 5:15 am | Report abuse |
  2. Kandi

    Whoa! Truly an enlightened and compassionate comment! Loss of life means nothing to some i guess.

    January 22, 2012 at 10:21 am | Report abuse |
  3. Angry Nigeria

    So, how long did you think that you could continually raype Africa before she got p/ssed off? You've been bribing African leaders since the days of the slave trade when humans were Africa's most valuable resource. You traded goods to African tribal leaders in exchange for some of their tribespeople just as you bribe African leaders today who allow you access to Africa's abundant resources like oil and diamonds. Nigeria is one of the world's top ten oil exporting nations yet Nigeria starves. Nigerias bribe-taking leaders are almost as fat as those drinking her oil and wearing her diamonds are! I applaud the citizens of Africa for making this stand. Shame on you other African citizens who prosper...even muslims doing business with infidels as muslim children starve. Any muslim who turns his back on the Koran and sides with the invading infidels is a "Renegade Muslim".(muslim equiv. to a Benedict Arnold) The Koran commands "deal most harshly with them". Take back your land you true Nigerians

    January 22, 2012 at 12:12 pm | Report abuse |
  4. bigwilliestyles

    Not one bit surprised by the lead comment. "When you know a thing, you know what it is capable of, thereafter, while it may shock, it should never surprise".

    January 22, 2012 at 12:12 pm | Report abuse |
  5. Philip

    ...and we know a thing called America.

    January 22, 2012 at 2:15 pm | Report abuse |
  6. banasy©

    Sweet Mother in heaven! Jesus God, just stop it already!!

    January 22, 2012 at 3:13 pm | Report abuse |
  7. bigwilliestyles

    @ Banasy: that's the problem with bigotry, you can hide it behind 'intellectual elitism' for a time, bit it always works its way to the surface eventually; sooner or later, ya just gotta say what ya feel!

    January 22, 2012 at 3:47 pm | Report abuse |
  8. WOT

    The oil is free, when everyone is dead! Stop the killing, Black People! Feed the country men not murder them!

    January 22, 2012 at 5:59 pm | Report abuse |
  9. Kandi

    @ WOT, color is NOT the issue. That was not neccessary or smart.

    January 22, 2012 at 6:08 pm | Report abuse |
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