(Updated): Another blast hits Kano NNPC mega station

(NIGERIA) Barely 24 hours after a blast killed five people and injured eight others, another bomb went off at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Mega Filling Station at Hotoro Quarters along Maiduguri Road, Kano State, on Monday, killing four people including the suicide bomber.

Eight others that were buying kerosine were injured in the blast, but the station was spared from burning. Security Forces later cordoned off the scene, and the Police Bomb Disposal personnel searched the area for more Improvised Explosive Devices.

The female bomber had reportedly slipped into the crowd of residents buying kerosene at the station before detonating the explosives.

Abubakar Shekau

The Police confirmed the death of the suicide bomber and three others, noting that the eight persons that were injured had been rushed to the hospital.

A statement on the police website, said that the NNPC station was not set ablaze “due to the security barricade put in place by the Policemen on duty at the station,” adding that this would have complicated the emergency response.

“Citizens are advised to stay off the scene, be vigilant and report any suspicious person(s) or activities to security forces. Full scale investigation has commenced, intensive patrol of the city is ongoing,” the statement by Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, said.

The blast at St. Charles Catholic church, Kano, on Sunday was caused by also caused by a female suicide bomber.

The Police said it had arrested five male suspects for their complicity in the bomb attacks on the church and other places in the city.

Three of the suspects were picked up for their involvement in the attack on the church while the two others, were were arrested in connection with the foiled bomb attack at Isyaku Rabiu Mosque in Kano.

Meanwhile, there was heavy traffic on Abuja-Keffi Road on Monday as soldiers mounted roadblocks in various parts of the road.

There was heavy traffic in Kugbo, Nyanya and Karua areas as soldiers checked vehicles coming into the central part of Abuja.

Although Monday was a public holiday, residents going to amusements parks in the city were stranded for many hours.

Also, armed soldiers were at AYA, Central Area and Eagle Square.