About 72 persons are reported to have died in two suicide bomb attacks in Kaduna, North-West Nigeria.

In the first incident, a suspected suicide bomber reportedly killed 32 while attempting to kill Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi, leader of the Darika sect during his end of Ramadan prayers.

The incident occurred around 12:45pm along Alkali road/Isah Kaita Junction, near Murtala Muhammad Square in Kaduna.

Mustapha Sani, one of those in the rescue operation said he counted more than 32 bodies with dozens injured who were taken to 44 Military Reference Hospital.

The Commissioner of Police, Shehu Umar Ambursa, however, confirmed 25 dead, 14 injured. He said:

“The incident happened after the prayers ended peacefully around 12:45pm, when a boys wearing bomb vest in his body attempted to detonate as the convoy of sheikh passed by Alkali road/Isah Kaita road junction.

“The attack was targeted at the Sheikh who was leaving Murtala Square after peacefully concluding the prayers. No arrest has been made yet.

“The bomber wearing the bomb vest who targeted the Shiekh Dahiru Bauchis convoy was blocked. He detonated the bomb along with the person that tried to block him.”

Followers of the sheikh were hauling stones at security agents including the Commissioner of Police at the scene of the incident. They were expressing anger at the security personnel whom they suspect to have been behind the incident.

Police used teargas to disperse the irate crowd. Security men hurriedly left the scene. “We are rushing to another scene of a blast and not because of the crowd that haul stone at us,” one of them told our reporter who approached him.

Meanwhile, scores were reported killed in a second blast that occurred at the busy Kawo Market near the 1 Division Nigerian Army Headquarters.

Details of casualty has not been ascertain, but an eye said about 40 were feared dead.

•Photo shows Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi.