The new law repeals an earlier law introduced in 2016
Bomb detection security personnel inspect the wreckage of a car believed to be used in the Kano Central Mosque bombing, November 28, 2014. - Reuters
Abuja - Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan vowed on Saturday to hunt down those behind “heinous” attacks which left at least 120 dead at the mosque of a top leader and vocal critic of Boko Haram.
At least 270 others were also wounded in Friday’s attacks when two suicide bombers blew themselves up and gunmen opened fire during weekly prayers at the Grand Mosque in Kano.
The president “directed the security agencies to launch a full-scale investigation and to leave no stone unturned until all agents of terror ... are tracked down and brought to justice,” said a statement from Jonathan’s office on Saturday.
“The president reaffirms that terrorism in all forms ... is a despicable and unjustifiable threat to our society.”
He urged Nigerians “not to despair in this moment of great trial in our nation’s history but to remain united to confront the common enemy.”
The Grand Mosque is attached to the palace of the Emir of Kano Muhammad Sanusi II, Nigeria’s second most senior cleric, who last week urged civilians to take up arms against Boko Haram.
The Amir was out of the country during the attack.
The blasts came after a bomb attack was foiled against a mosque in the northeastern city of Maiduguri earlier on Friday, five days after two female suicide bombers killed over 45 people in that city.
The special representative of the UN Secretary-General for West Africa, Mohamed Ibn Chambas, condemned the recent attacks in a statement.
Chambas called on the authorities “to increase their response against terrorist threats in north-eastern Nigeria” and for additional measures to protect civilians.
Observers have pointed the finger at Boko Haram for the attacks. Mass casualties are not a new phenomenon in the extremists’ five-year insurgency. More than 13,000 people are thought to have died in total since 2009.
The new law repeals an earlier law introduced in 2016
Doctors also outlined several factors contributing to health challenges during the holy month
Modern CPO can make all the difference to whether a forward-thinking organisation sinks or swims
The online charity auction showcased a collection of 555 license plates for regular vehicles in Abu Dhabi
Fashion enthusiasts can check out the collection at a 2-day pop-up event
Since 2019, London has banned ads for foods that are high in fat, sugar and salt from the city’s subway trains and stations, buses and bus shelters
Fifteen per cent of teachers working with pupils aged 11-18 experienced sexual harassment from a pupil while at school, reveals poll
The campaign aims to elevate the well-being of the entire community by promoting a healthy lifestyle while also instilling a culture of giving