3 die as gunmen attack Emir of Kano's convoy

Gunmen opened fire on the convoy of one of Nigeria's most senior Islamic leaders in the northern city of Kano on Saturday, killing three people, although the Emir of Kano himself escaped unhurt, authorities said.

Two of his sons, the Turakin Kano and the Ciroman Kano were also said to have sustained injuries and have been taken to the hospital for treatment.

The Emir was returning from a Quranic graduation ceremony which took place at Gidan Murtala mosque when the attack occurred. The window opposite where he was seated in the vehicle was also shattered during the attack but there are no indications he suffered any injuries.

The dead and wounded are said to have been taken to the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano.

The Emir of Kano is one of the two most senior Islamic traditional leaders in Nigeria, the other being the Sultan of Sokoto. The current emir has been on the throne for half a century.