Boko Haram Blasts: Kano Relaxes Curfew, as UK Issues Travel Alert

A rescue worker inspects the burnt wreckage of cars and motorcycles destroyed by multiple explosions and armed assailants in the Marhaba area of Kano

With Soldiers and police manning checkpoints in the city, the Kano State government has relaxed a 24-hour curfew imposed on the city after coordinated bombings and shootouts killed at least 162 people, even as the UK issued a travel alert to its citizens living in Nigeria.

President Goodluck Jonathan is also expected to visit Kano Sunday, according to sources in the presidency and government.

Streets remained largely deserted Sunday morning despite the partial lifting of the curfew, as armed soldiers and policemen guarded strategic points in the sprawling city.Troops and policemen manned the many checkpoints set up across the cityThe announcement of the partial lifting of the curfew was made Sunday morning by the state’s Information Commissioner, Dr Umar Farouk. The curfew was imposed on Friday evening, following co-ordinated bomb attacks on police and immigration offices and residential buildings.

"Following the return of relative calm in the city, the government hereby relaxes the 24 hour curfew," Dr Farouk said.

Curfew times will now be from dusk-to-dawn.

Rescue workers spent Saturday picking up bodies that littered the streets following the attacks that came after Muslim Friday prayers.A purported spokesman for Islamist group, Boko Haram had claimed responsibility for the violence, saying it was in response to authorities' refusal to release its members from custody.Scores of such attacks in the north have been blamed on Boko Haram, though Friday's would be among the group's most audacious and well-coordinated assaults.

Some 20 huge blasts went off in the city targeting a number of police offices including immigration offices.The attacks in Kano, which had escaped the worst of the violence blamed on Boko Haram in recent months, sent residents fleeing in fear of what would come next.

Meanwhile, the UK government have warned British citizens living in Nigeria against travelling to certain parts of the country following Friday’s attacks.The Foreign Office updated its travel advice for Nigeria, advising against travel to Kano.The FCO website said: "We advise against all travel to Kano whilst the curfew remains in force and for those in Kano to remain vigilant and to exercise caution."DFID (Department for International Development) and British Council have limited their operations in Kano whilst the curfew is in place."However, following the relaxing of the curfew by the Kano State government it is not known if the UK will revise its travel advice.And in a related development, two Indians and a Nepalese have been confirmed dead in the wake of the Kano bomb blasts.The confirmation was made by the Indian High Commission.