Suspected militants attack police station in Nigeria
By Nima Elbagir, CNN
updated 6:37 AM EST, Sat January 28, 2012
Nigeria has been rocked by a series of attacks in recent months.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- NEW: Militants attack a police station
- In another incident, about 100 armed men blocked highway, taking hostages
- Nigeria's inspector general of police was fired earlier this week amid a rash of violence
KANO CITY, Nigeria (CNN) -- Police said a group of suspected militants attacked a police station in Nigeria's Kano province on Friday.
Military forces have since cordoned off the area around the provincial capital city of Kano where the attack apparently occurred, according to witnesses. Gunfire and tracer rounds could be heard and seen during the incident, according to CNN personnel in the area.
The attack appears to have ended, and its not clear if there were casualties.
Earlier, gunmen shot and killed at least 16 people and burned their bodies in the northwestern state of Zamfara, according to an official who asked not to be named, citing security concerns.
The incident occurred Thursday when about 100 armed men blocked a nearby highway, delaying vehicle traffic and taking hostages in the area, a restive region that borders Niger.
Nigerian police battle new attacks
Some of the hostages stormed the gunmen, resulting in a deadly shootout, the official said.
It is not clear whether the men were robbers or the incident was a reprisal attack over discord in the region, but it comes immediately following a separate attack against a state official in the same area.
"We are quite confused about a lot of things these days, the police may say it is not (the militant group) Boko Haram, but even they are not sure because they have not arrested anyone in all these attacks in the last 36 hours," said attorney Barrister Labaran in the provincial capital of Gusau.
Earlier this week, the country's inspector general of police was fired amid a rash of violence across Nigeria.
One day last week, at least 180 people were killed in the city of Kano -- an attack linked to Boko Haram, an Islamist militant group that has carried out multiple bombings and shootings across the north.
CNN's Hassan John contributed to this report
Part of complete coverage on
updated 8:50 AM EST, Mon January 30, 2012
Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has shifted his attitude toward the Islamist extremist group Boko Haram, as violence spreads.
updated 12:59 PM EST, Fri January 27, 2012
CNN iReporters helped chronicle the unfolding events in Nigeria since the beginning of the year by telling their stories.
updated 8:50 AM EST, Mon January 30, 2012
Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has suddenly shifted his attitude toward the Islamist extremist group Boko Haram, as violence spreads across northern Nigeria.
As a native of oil-rich Nigeria, photographer George Osodi says he has seen the devastation, conflict and injustice caused by drilling for the "black gold."
updated 9:17 AM EST, Mon January 30, 2012
When elected president in April 2011, he was described as "Nigeria's Obama," just nine months later, Jonathan's popularity has plummeted.
updated 6:44 AM EST, Sat January 7, 2012
The Islamic militant group have attacked churches and government targets across the country's northeast.
updated 10:36 AM EST, Fri January 13, 2012
Nigeria's rulers face rising religious violence in the north, a long-simmering separatist movement in the south and now a nationwide strike.
updated 3:57 PM EST, Mon January 2, 2012
The militant Islamist group Boko Haram issues an ultimatum to Christians in northern Nigeria. CNN's Tim Lister reports.
Two issues are currently intensifying fears of a 'Nigerian Spring': the removal of fuel subsidies and the rise radical Islamist terrorists.
Nigerians are protesting the government's decision to end fuel subsidies that kept prices down. If you're protesting in Nigeria help us tell your story.
updated 2:34 AM EST, Wed January 11, 2012
On the streets of Nigeria, we bear witness to what many see as a bold decision on fuel subsidies is also uncovering decades of frustration and corruption.
Nigerian iReporters give CNN an on-the-ground look at the general strike currently underway in Nigeria, as they share their stories and perspectives.
updated 10:37 AM EST, Fri January 13, 2012
Nigeria, Africa's largest oil producer, ended oil subsidies on New Year's Day that had kept gasoline prices artificially low.
For an insight into the diverse cultural trends and personalities that help define Africa beyond the traditional headlines.
Most popular stories right now
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
|