Explosions rock Yenagoa in Nigeria

Smoke and debris fill the sky seconds after a car bomb explodes alongside firemen responding to an initial car bomb that exploded earlier in Abuja, Nigeria. (File photo)

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/222265.html

Two explosions have rocked Nigeria's southern city of Yenagoa hours after a wave of deadly blasts and gunfire hit the city of Kano.

According to a Saturday statement from the office of Governor Timipre Sylva, the bomb blasts were related to upcoming governorship elections in Yenogoa.

"Governor Timipre Sylva has just been informed of two explosions that rocked parts of Yenagoa, the Bayelsa state capital, late Friday night," the statement said.

One bomb went off on the Tombia Bridge and an explosive-laden car was detonated near the Government House, according to sources.

The explosions came in the wake of a string of violent attacks in the northern city of Kano where at least eight people were killed.

The Boko Haram militant group has claimed responsibility for the attacks, saying the offensive was in response to Nigerian authorities' refusal to release a number of group's members arrested in Kano.

Meanwhile, Nigerian authorities imposed a 24-hour curfew in Kano to curb the violence.

In December 2011, Boko Haram claimed responsibility for a series of bombings near the Nigerian capital, Abuja, which killed 40 people and injured scores of others.