Nigerians lynch suspected attacker after blast

Kano - Muslim worshippers in northern Nigeria's Kano on Wednesday lynched a suspected bomber after an explosive detonated outside the city's main mosque, a military spokesperson said. 

The suspect was mobbed and drenched in petrol along with his motorised tricycle before being set alight, while a second suspect was nabbed while trying to flee, Lieutenant Iweha Ikedichi said.

"There was an explosion around the central mosque this evening and people in the area pursued the bombers who came on a tricycle and lynched one of them by setting him and the tricycle on fire," Ikedichi said.

"The other suspect was apprehended and is in our custody," Ikedichi said, without giving details on the identity of the suspect.

There were no injuries from the explosion or damage to the mosque, which sits at the centre of the city near the palace of Emir of Kano Ado Bayero.

The emir is an influential traditional and spiritual leader who survived a gun attack on his convoy in January in which five people were killed.

It was not clear who was behind the explosion although Islamist extremist group Boko Haram has carried out repeated shootings and bombings in the city, northern Nigeria's largest.

Earlier on Wednesday, Nigeria took a further step towards granting amnesty to Boko Haram members in an effort to stop the insurgency.

President Goodluck Jonathan announced a panel to study how the offer should be made.

The Boko Haram conflict is estimated to have left more than 3 000 people dead since 2009, including killings by the security services.