Twin Explosions Rock Kaduna this afternoon leaves at least 25 people dead, Govt declares 24-hour curfew

Two explosions have ripped through the northern Nigeria city of Kaduna, killing dozens of people, police say.

 

The first explosion targeted moderate Islamic cleric Dahiru Bauchi while the second one targeted senior opposition leader Muhammadu Buhari, a BBC reporter in the city says. Both are said to have escaped unhurt. But there are body parts and damaged cars on the busy Alkali Road in the city centre where the bomb targeting Mr Bauchi exploded, reports the BBC's Abdullahi Kaura Abubakar from the scene.

While the police confirmed that 25 persons died in the first blast, which took place after a Ramada Lecture, the number of casualties in the second explosion had yet to be ascertained as of the time of filing this report.
Meanwhile, the Kaduna State Government has declared a 24-hour curfew in the capital city following the twin bombing in the state capital, according to a statement by the government
According to eyewitnesses, the bomb went off as a prominent Islamic cleric, Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi, drove past the road. They believe the bomb was target at his convoy but according to witnesses, the cleric escaped unhurt while passersby were killed. At least 25 bodies have so far been receovered


Other witnesses said the bomb was targeted at thousands of Muslims who gathered at the Murtala Square for Ramadan Tafsir under the leadership of Sheikh Bauchi. (pictured above)

The cleric is said to be an outspoken critic of Boko Haram and was on his way to the Murtala Square when the bomb went off.

Update: second bomb explodes in Kawo motor park area near I Division, Nigerian Army, Kaduna