About 185 suspects have been arrested by security agencies in connection with Friday’s multiple bombings in Kano.
More riot policemen were deployed in the beleaguered city yesterday.
The combing of the city for more suspects continued, following intelligence reports that some of the bombers may still be in the city.
For about five hours, security chiefs were locked in an appraisal meeting in Abuja on how to check a recurrence of the dastardly attacks by Boko Haram in any part of the country.
The Nigerian Immigration Service said it would not be deterred by the bombing of its Kano office.
The suspects were picked up by security agents in the thick of the explosions and the following day.
The suspects are being screened to avoid punishment of innocent people, it was learnt.
A top security source said: The combing of the city and its outskirts continues. There is the likelihood that the number could be higher.
“The security agencies are enjoying cooperation from the people of the state because everyone was touched by the incident.”
Responding to a question, the source added: “More riot policemen were flown into Kano from Abuja through Aminu Kano International Airport yesterday to beef up security in the city.
“The government has placed all security agencies on the alert. The reinforcement of security, which began on Sunday, is part of steps to secure the city.
“All military installations and offices of other security agencies have been fully secured.”
The Director of Press Affairs to Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, Alhaji Baba Dantiye, confirmed the arrest of 185 by the police.
Some bereaved families have besieged Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital and Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital to claim the bodies of their relations for burial.
A Kano State Emergency Management Agency official aid: “Some relatives were opposed to post-mortem examination for their loved ones killed in the blast.
“They have been coming to retrieve the bodies of their relatives to bury them in line with Islamic rites.
“We have willingly allowed these families to evacuate the identified victims for burial. I cannot give you the exact figure of the bodies already claimed but they are many.”
Besides Chief of Defence Staff Air Marshall Oluseyi Petirin, all service chiefs were said to be at the Abuja meeting.
A source said: “The security chiefs have been taking stock of the incident in Kano and how to overhaul the nation’s security.
“The government has decided to strengthen security nationwide because it is apparent that Boko Haram or any terrorist group can strike in any part of the country.”
The spokesman for the Nigerian Immigration Service, Joachim Olumbah, a chief superintendent, said: “It is unfortunate that we lost two officers at our Main Office to the bombings in Kano, but it was not an isolated attack.
“The Boko Haram members were attacking every security organisation, particularly the police.”
When asked on Immigration Service efforts at checking the influx of Nigeriens and Chadians believed to dominate the Boko Haram sect, Olumbah said: “From time to time, we have been conducting raids. Since this Boko Haram phenomenon started, we have been going the extra mile to ensure that nobody is allowed into the country illegally.”
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