Kano Bomb Blast - Conflicting Figures on Casualties

Conflicting figures were issued Tuesday on the death toll resulting from the multiple bomb blasts that rocked Sabon Gari in the Kano State capital Monday night, with the Joint Military Task Force (JTF) declaring that 12 persons had been confirmed dead from the attacks, while the hospital authorities in Kano disclosed that 24 bodies had been brought to the mortuary.

In a statement signed by Lieutenant Ikedichi Iweha, the JTF said: “At about 2105 hours on July 29, 2013, sounds of simultaneous explosions were triggered by persons suspected to be members of the Boko Haram terrorist group between Nos. 38 – 41 New Road and Igbo Road by Enugu Road, all in the Sabon Gari area of Fagge Local Government Council of Kano State.

“This latest incidence could have been avoided if citizens maintained vigilance to observe when packages are dropped as it was in this case; contrary to reports circulating in some sections of the media of the attack being done by suicide bombers.

“You may recollect that the JTF had urged residents of Kano metropolis to keep an eye on their environment as members of the terrorist sect had planned to drop packages in bags or cartons in areas with high human traffic.

“Following the attacks, 12 persons were confirmed dead, while those who sustained various degrees of injuries were rushed to hospital for medical attention.”

However, contradicting the JTF’s statement, the hospital authorities revealed that 24 dead bodies were brought to the hospital mortuary, while nine people who sustained injuries had been admitted at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital Tuesday morning.

BREAKING NEWS: Celebration in Cairo as Army Overthrows Morsi

Jubilant crowds across Cairo cheered, chanted pro-army slogans and set off fireworks after the military suspended the constitution and ousted the President Mohamed Mursi on Wednesday

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Men, women and children waved red-white-and-black Egyptian flags as confetti twirled in the air, protesters stood on each other's shoulders and families snapped pictures in Tahrir Square, the center of demonstrations that drew millions out against Mursi and his Muslim Brotherhood.

"The people and the army are one hand," they chanted.

Over two years ago, Tahrir saw similar celebrations after an uprising toppled Hosni Mubarak, paving the way for Mursi to become Egypt's first freely elected president.