Bomb blast in Central Mosque Kano, Nigeria

 There has been a bomb explosion at the Central Mosque in the city of Kano, Nigeria

. Eye witnesses said the bomb went off about 2pm just as Imam Sani Zahradeen began his sermon followed but sporadic gunshots causing pandemonium as people ran for their lives.

Rescue operations are underway at the bomb site as the police have cordoned off the entire area.

Scores of people are feared dead and wounded in the blast as the crowd is usually largest in the city during Friday prayers.

There has been no immediate claims of responsibility but suspicion is likely to fall on Boko Haram.

 The Emir, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi was said to be inside the mosque at the time of the explosion. Last week , Sanusi , a respected Muslim figure , called on the people of Nigeria to defend themselves against Boko Haram.