URGENT -- Bomb explodes outside busy Nigerian mosque, casualties feared

KANO, NIGERIA (BNO NEWS) -- A bomb exploded outside a mosque in the northern Nigerian city of Kano on Friday afternoon as worshippers gathered there, killing an unknown number of people, local authorities and witnesses said. The attack happened at Kano Central Mosque where scores of people had gathered to attend Friday prayers when a bomb exploded outside. Thick black smoke was seen rising from the area and local authorities said many casualties were feared, but exact numbers were not yet known. Mohammed Sanusi II, the Emir of Kano and one of the country's most important religious leaders, usually leads Friday prayers at the mosque, but he was said to be absent when the explosion occurred.