Death toll rises to 22
The terror sect, Boko Haram, yesterday claimed responsibility for Friday’s suicide bombing on a Shiite procession in Kano State that claimed 21 lives on the spot.
One more person was confirmed dead yesterday taking the death toll to 22.
“For now, we have 22 deaths following the death of one more person yesterday. Thirty-eight people have also been injured, two of whom have been discharged from the hospital,” one of the organizers of the procession Ali Kakaki told AFP.
Boko Haram said in a statement in Arabic on social media its bomber “detonated his explosives which led to the death” of the victims on Friday.
“And by the permission of Allah these attacks of ours against Shitte polytheists will continue ýuntil we cleanse the earth of their filth,” it warned.
Kakaki said that despite the attack the Islamic Movement of Nigeria members had continued their march from Kano to Zaria where their leader Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky is based.
The march is to mark Ashura, which commemorates the death of Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Mohammed.
“Following the attack, many more of our members have joined the procession,” Kakaki said, adding that they aimed to arrive at their destination later this week.
Friday’s attack took place in the village of Dakasoye, some 20 kilometres south of Kano.
One of the procession’s organisers said a bomber clad in black ran into the crowd and detonated his explosives.