2 explosions in home state of Nigeria

Jan 21, 2012 |

Lagos

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Two explosions have rocked Nigeria's southern city of Yenagoa in the home state of President Goodluck Jonathan, but no casualties were reported, the governor's office and the military said on Saturday.

The explosions came after the northern city of Kano was hit by coordinated bomb attacks and gunfire that left at least eight people dead, but the governor indicated the Yenagoa blasts were linked to upcoming governorship elections.

"Governor Timipre Sylva has just been informed of two explosions that rocked parts of Yenagoa, the Bayelsa state capital, late Friday night," a statement from his office said.

A spokesman for a military task force in the region said there had been no casualties.

"The (joint task force) confirms that there were dynamite explosions in certain parts of Yenagoa city yesterday. However, there was no casualty," Lieutenant Colonel Timothy Antigha said.

Bayelsa state -- the home state of the president, located in the oil-producing Niger Delta region -- is preparing for a contentious February 11 governorship election.

Campaign periods have often provoked such incidents in the delta.

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