Two suicide bombers yesterday in Kano, rammed their vehicles into the structures of two mobile communication giants in the state capital, signaling the prospect of a gloomy yuletide in the state. The two bombers died instantly. The affected structures were the headquarters of Airtel Nigeria, located off Niger Street, opposite the famous Mallam Kato Square and an inter -switch outlet belonging to MTN Nigeria, on Maimalari Street in the Bompai Industrial Area of the state capital.
No group claimed responsibility for the attacks as at press time. Investigation by Sunday Sun revealed that while the suicide bombers rammed their vehicle into the Airtel office complex at 9 am with the resultant explosion shaking the heart of the city, the blast at the MTN inter-switch occurred at 9.30 am. It was gathered that the security operatives deployed to the headquarters of Airtel Nigeria responded promptly, targeting the suicide bomber just before the final explosion of his vehicle, a situation that mitigated the impact of the blast.
Dependable security sources stated that the second suicide bomber drove a Honda car to the MTN inter -switch outlet but missed its target. “ Maybe out of fright or something else, his car exploded by the pole and he died instantly. He did not get to the MTN structure, which is just a stone-throw, but we are certain that was his target. Maybe he was jittery.”
Spokesman of the Joint Security Task Force (JTF) in the state, Lt. Ikedechie Iweha confirmed the incidents, adding that one person, probably a guard, was injured in the attack on the office of Airtel Nigeria but that he was stable and recuperating at an unnamed hospital in the state capital. He confirmed that the driver of the ill- fated vehicle died inside the car. Armed soldiers were consequently dispatched to several locations in the state capital.
Civilians who were within the affected structures were successfully evacuated but the explosions triggered off panic among residents, especially those within the vicinity of the twin explosions. Panic-stricken traders rushed out of their shops and stalls in the wake of the blasts while many motorists dashed to safer posts for refuge. Meanwhile, the operatives of the JTF in the state have cordoned off the targeted areas and the immediate surroundings.
The affected roads included Murtala Mohammed Way down to Kano Club, Airport Road, a section of Independence Road, the ever-busy Mallam Kato Square and Niger Street.
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