Boko Haram Claims Responsibility For Killing 143 In Kano, FG Says 7 Killed

The Boko Haram terrorist group today claimed responsibility for killing 143 people in Kano in their deadliest attack yet.
The attack in Kano involved bomb attack on five police buildings, two immigration offices and the SS local headquarters. Yesterday’s strike also involved multiple gun battles between the Boko Haram attackers and the police.
After the attack on Friday, the government announced a dusk-todawn curfew across the city.
According to Police Corporal Aliu Abdullahi, who survived multiple gunshots:
“We were in the mess when we saw people running and heard gunshots from the gate, I saw them shooting. You could not differentiate the Boko Haram members from our Police Mobile Force men because they wore the same uniform,” he said.
“They were more than 50. As I tried to run a bullet hit me on my left hand and another shot hit me on my chest I fell.”
Surprisingly, a press release published by the Federal Government today, through the special adviser to the president, Reuben Abati, stated that 7 people were killed during the attacks,
view the press release below:

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

President Jonathan Condoles with Channels TV, Others on Kano Incident

President Goodluck Jonathan has expressed his condolences to all victims, including the management and staff of Channels Television, following the multiple bomb blasts and acts of violence which rocked the city of Kano on Friday, in which seven persons were confirmed dead and others wounded. Among the seven persons killed in the incident was a reporter with Channels Television in Kano, Mr Enenche Akogwu. Mr Akogwu was reportedly shot and killed while on duty during the exchange of fire between men and officers of the Nigeria Police and the terrorists at the Farm Centre Police Station, Kano.

President Jonathan who said he was greatly saddened by the incident which led to the loss of lives of innocent Nigerians, pledged to get to the root of the incident while assuring the management and staff of Channels Television which lost its Kano-based correspondent and indeed all Nigerians, that those behind these acts of terrorism would be made to face the full wrath of the law.

He commended the media as the Fourth Estate of the Realm for living up to its constitutional and noble responsibility in these critical times and assured all journalists that “the Federal Government will continue to partner with the media in a robust and patriotic manner in the drive to build, institute and sustain the administration’s transformational values and programmes for our dear country and indeed Nigerians.”

The President further commended the media for its historic role in protecting constitutional democracy and the rule of Law in Nigeria and promised to ensure that those who lost their lives in the Kano incident do not die in vain as those behind the acts of violence will be apprehended and speedily dealt with in accordance with the Laws of the land.

The President said: “It is with a heart full of sadness and pain that I convey my condolences on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria to the families, friends, associates and relatives of all those who lost their lives in the acts of violence in Kano on Friday. These are honest and patriotic Nigerians who were brutally and recklessly cut down by agents of terror. As a responsible Government, we will not fold our hands and watch enemies of democracy, for that is what these mindless killers are, perpetrate unprecedented evil in our land. I want to re-assure Nigerians, the international Community, and members of the fourth estate of the realm, who lost one of their colleagues, a reporter with Channels Television, that all those involved in that dastardly act would be made to face the full wrath of the law.”
Reuben Abati
Special Adviser to the President
(Media and Publicity)
21 January 2012