Fresh blasts, gunfire heard in violence-torn Nigerian city

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Explosions and gunfire were heard early on Tuesday coming from an area near a police station in the Nigerian city of Kano, where coordinated attacks and gun battles last week killed at least 250 people as of now. An Indian was also killed in the attacks.

A journalist heard some 15 blasts and gunshots coming from the vicinity of a mobile police headquarters. Details were not immediately clear. One resident reported a similar account.

"I was awoken from sleep by explosions and gunshots coming from the mobile barracks and police station opposite," the resident said, adding that they had stopped after several minutes.

"It's terrifying ... It's too dangerous to go out, besides there is curfew."

A nighttime curfew is in effect in the wake of Friday's attacks in Kano claimed by Islamist group Boko Haram.

Police impound 8 bomb-laden cars

Nigerian police on Monday impounded eight vehicles loaded with improvised explosives in northern city of Kano.

"We have discovered over 100 home-made bombs in different parts of the city," said a senior police official on condition of anonymity.

The official said that many unexploded bombs were recovered around the police headquarters which was one of the targets struck in the Friday attacks.

"We have found eight explosive-laden cars abandoned by road sides across the city, including one near a police station and another in a market in a densely-populated area of the city... We are still facing serious security threats," the police officials said.

Meanwhile, hospital workers said the death toll has reached 250 from an earlier toll of 180. Special prayers were conducted in mosques throughout the city to seek divine intervention in order to prevent recurrence of last Friday's blasts.

Chief Imam of Kano Sani Zaharadeen, traditional ruler of the city Emir Ado Bayero and Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso were present at the prayer session. About 200 Muslim religious and political leaders offered peace prayers in Kano, an ancient holy Muslim city. Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday visited the populous city of Kano after attacks which were unleashed on police stations and other security outfits’ office.

He offered his condolences to the people of the city and also went to the Armed Forces Specialist Hospital where some of the wounded were brought for treatment. Radical Islamist group Boko Haram has claimed responsibility for the attacks.