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The Emir of Kano, Muhammed Sanusi II, yesterday dared Boko Haram, vowing that he and his subjects would never be intimidated by the insurgents.

Speaking yesterday during a visit to the bloodstained Kano Central Mosque, where coordinated bomb and gun attacks left at least 120 people dead on Friday, the emir said, according to an AFP report: “From all indications, they (attackers) have been planning this for at least two months.” He did not give details on what information supported that assertion.

During the 20-minute-visit to the mosque, which adjoins his palace in the city, the emir directed the place be washed and cleaned, an AFP correspondent at the scene reported.

“I have directed that the mosque be washed and cleaned and prayers should continue here,” he said.

“We will never be intimidated into abandoning our religion, which is the intention of the attackers.”

Sanusi was out of Nigeria on Friday, when the deadly assault on the mosque occurred. He arrived at the mosque straight from the airport yesterday. Last week, the emir — who is the country’s second most senior Muslim cleric — made a call at the same mosque urging civilians to take up arms against the Islamist extremist group Boko Haram.

A senior rescue official late Friday gave AFP the preliminary death toll of 120. The official also said that at least 270 people were wounded in the attack, which saw two suicide bombers blow themselves up and gunmen opened fire during weekly prayers at the Grand Mosque in Kano, the biggest city in the mainly Muslim north of the country.

•File photo shows Emir Sanusi II, surrounded by guards, entering his palace.

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