Nigeria: Bloody attack at grand mosque in Kato

(Baonghean.vn) - On Friday, November 28, terrorists attacked a large mosque in Kato, Nigeria. According to a provisional police report, at least 120 people were killed and more than 270 others were injured.

An attack on a major mosque in Kano has left at least 120 people dead and hundreds injured. Photo: AP/Muhammed Giginyu

Police said Friday's attack on the mosque was carried out by two suicide bombers and Islamist gunmen. Witnesses said they first heard three loud explosions in the mosque's courtyard and on the street. The gunmen then opened fire on people trying to flee. Emmanuel Ajukwu, a spokesman for the Nigerian police, said there were 15 gunmen, four of whom were killed by civilians but the rest escaped.

The mosque where the attack took place is in Kano, the largest city in northern Nigeria with a population of 10 million. Last week, Muslim leaders in the area called on people to take up arms against the radical Islamist terrorist organization Boko Haram. The city is known to be the site of frequent attacks by Boko Haram. In particular, in February 2012, also in the city of Kano, the terrorist group bombed and killed 185 people. The attack on the mosque once again raised questions about the ability of the government army to protect the safety of the people.

The attack comes as the Boko Haram terrorist group continues to advance into northern provinces. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), on Monday, Boko Haram attacked and captured the northeastern city of Damasak in Nigeria. The attack left 50 people dead and displaced more than 3,000.

Last week, at least 45 people were killed after Boko Haram attacked a village in the Mafa area. Boko Haram extremists are also suspected of kidnapping 30 children aged between 11 and 13 in the area in late October.

Chu Thanh -according to LeMonde 11/28