Authorities vow justice after Nigeria mosque attack

Responding on Saturday to the deadly attack the day before, Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan promised his government would "continue to take every step to put an end to the reprehensible acts of all groups and persons involved in acts of terrorism."

He urged Nigerians "not to despair at this moment of great trial in out nation's history but to remain united to confront our common enemy."

Hundreds of people had gathered for prayers on Friday at the Grand Mosque in Kano, the biggest city in Nigeria's mostly Muslim north, when multiple explosions occurred. There were also reports of gunmen opening fire on the worshippers.

Casualty figures unclear

News agency reports contained widely diverging death tolls, between a police figure of 36 and ranging up to 120 in estimates from emergency services officials. Hundreds of people were also reported injured.

The attack bore the hallmarks of those carried out previously by Boko Haram, a militant group which has mounted a deadly insurgency with the aim of creating a state in northern Nigeria governed under its strict interpretation of Sharia law.

Boko Haram, however, has not claimed responsibility for Friday's attack in Kano.

The mosque is located near the palace of one of Nigeria's most senior Muslim clerics, the Emir of Kano, who has previously spoken out against Boko Haram.

According to Amnesty International, more than 1,500 people have been killed this year as a result of the Boko Haram insurgency.

se/ipj (AP, AFP, dpa)