At least 120 killed, 270 injured in Nigeria mosque attack

Almost 120 people were killed and 270 were injured when two suicide bombers blew themselves up and gunmen opened fire on a Muslim gathering during Friday prayers in the central mosque in northern Nigeria's largest city of Kano, a rescue official said.

The official also said that the death toll could rise as several people have been critically injured, reported the CNN.

A third bomb also exploded outside the mosque amid a crowd of worshippers.

The attacks came two days after the emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, one of Nigeria's most influential monarchs, urged people to arm themselves and fight Islamist militant group Boko Haram. The emir made the statement in the same mosque where the attack took place on Friday.

Although no group has claimed responsibility for the attack, Boko Haram is the main suspect.

The attack is also being read by some as a reprisal for the emir's call to take up arms against the militant group.

The group has been waging insurgency in the nation since 2009 and has killed more than 2,000 people this year.

While condemning the attack, President Goodluck Jonathan urged the Nigerians to remain united to confront the enemy. He also said that his government would take every possible step to end terrorism.