At least 82 people were killed in two explosions, which rocked Kaduna yesterday, July 23.
However, this figure is expected to rise, SaharaReporters alleges.
The first attack, which occurred around afternoon, was said to target an Islamic cleric Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi, who led prayers in Murtala Muhammed Square. While Bauchi escaped the attack, a lot of people were caught in the busy commercial area with at least 25 killed (according to police).
The second bomb went off several km away from the first blast scene, with the former Nigerian head of state Gen Muhammadu Buhari having narrowly escaped death. Media, so as Buhari, claim it was a clear assassination attack.
While the official details on the number of casualties caused by the second explosion are yet to be provided, the recent Reuters update says 32 people died.
Kaduna State governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero imposed a 24-hour curfew on the city following the twin explosion. He condemned the attacks saying that"those behind the act have no notion of God, as they have none for the sanctity of human life".
Reacting to the tragedy, the Deputy Spokeswoman of the U.S. State Department Marie Harf was quoted saying in the statement released yesterday:
"We extend our sympathies to the loved ones of the more than 80 victims killed in these blasts. We call on (the) Nigerian authorities to fully investigate these attacks, and we urge all Nigerians to avoid reprisals and continue to practice the interfaith cooperation that violent extremists seek to undermine."
No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks, however it is believed that the Boko Haram sect might be behind the attack.
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