Date: 20 January 2012

Location: Kano, Nigeria

Type of event: terrorism

Description:

At least 25 bombings and armed attacks occurred in Kano, Nigeria, killing at least 178. The attacks were attributed to Boko Haram, an Islamic terrorist group in Nigeria. At about 1700, several terrorists on motorcycles threw a bomb at the Farm centre immigration office and engaged officers in a gun battle, killing three officers. Soon thereafter a suicide car bombing at the Zone 1 police headquarters caused significant damage, including destruction of several residences. Additional bombings occurred at the State Security Service office, the State Police Command office, four police stations (Fegge, Farm Centre, Naibawa, and Jedijedi stations), the Customs Training School, and a motor park. At the State Security Service office and Customs Training School, officers engaged the terrorists in gun battles. Gun battles reportedly continued into the night as authorities imposed a curfew in the city. Boko Haram members were being detained at many of the attacked sites, and the terrorists freed at least 50 to 100 group members during the attacks. As of 22 January the official death toll was 178, but a doctor at one hospital indicated the toll would likely reach 250. At least 50 were injured. Casualties included one Indian citizen killed and at least 4 foreigners injured.

Consequences: 178 killed, 50 injured

References:

• Adeyemi, Kolade, 22 Jan. 2012, "Death toll may hit 250 in Kano bombings," The Nation, on line [http://www.thenationonlineng.net/2011/index.php/news/34220-death-toll-may-hit-250-in-kano-bombings.html].
• Alli, Yusuf, and Kolade Adeyemi, 21 Jan. 2012, "Boko Haram: Scores feared dead in Kano multiple explosions, The Nation, on line [http://www.thenationonlineng.net/2011/index.php/news/34020-boko-haram-scores-feared-dead-in-kano-multiple-explosions.html].
• Alli, Yusuf, and Kolade Adeyemi, 22 Jan. 2012, "Kano bomb blasts death toll hits 162," The Nation, on line [http://www.thenationonlineng.net/2011/index.php/news/34102-kano-bomb-blasts-death-toll-hits-162.html].
• AP, 22 Jan. 2012, "Death toll in north Nigeria attack rises to more than 150 as surgical masks hide shocked faces," Washington Post, on line [http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/police-say-at-least-11-people-have-been-killed-in-an-attack-in-north-nigerias-bauchi-state/2012/01/22/gIQAZ1XLIQ_story.html].
• Oboh, Mike, 21 Jan. 2012, "Nigerian sect kills over 100 in deadliest strike yet," Reuters, on line [http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/01/21/us-nigeria-blast-idUSTRE80J1WO20120121].

© 2017 by Wm. Robert Johnston.
Last modified 26 November 2017.
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