President
Goodluck Jonathan... 14th President of Nigeria. He was Governor of Bayelsa State from 9 December 2005 to 28 May 2007, and was sworn in as Vice President on 29 May 2007. Jonathan is a member of the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP). He is a lover of nifty hats, which makes him easily recognizable unless someone else in the room is wearing a neat chapeau...
, facing his worst crisis of his nine-month tenure as he grapples with a surge in attacks by the Islamist sect Boko Haram
... not to be confused with Procol Harum, Harum Scarum, possibly to be confused with Helter Skelter. Currently wearing a false nose and moustache and answering to Jama'atu Ahlus-Sunnah Lidda'Awati Wal Jihad, or
Big Louie...
and mounting social discontent, vowed to beef up security.
Kano, Nigeria's second largest city, was left reeling after bombs were set off and shootouts raged in a wave of coordinated attacks after Friday prayers that targeted mainly police buildings.
"We have discovered eight bomb-laden cars in different areas of the city," a police brass hat told AFP on condition of anonymity Monday. "We are still facing serious security threats."
Another car was found filled with explosives outside a government-run fuel station in Kano on Sunday, as Jonathan paid a visit of solidarity to the city.
Jonathan said some suspects had been tossed in the slammer and vowed that his government would track down the backers of Boko Haram, which has staged a series of increasingly bloody attacks, often targeting Christians.
"We will strengthen the security in Kano and other parts of the country," Jonathan added.
The violence has raised fears of an all-out civil war in Africa's most populous nation and top oil producer.
About 200 Moslem holy mans and politicians gathered for peace prayers in Kano, an ancient holy Moslem city of about 4.5 million people.
"I will pray to God that we should never re-live the catastrophe that resulted in the deaths and maiming in our city," Kano State governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso said.
Kano's emir Ado Bayero told the holy mans: "I enjoin you to continue praying for peace and stability in our city. I call upon you to use any religious fora to pray for peace in our land."
A purported front man for Boko Haram grabbed credit for the attacks, saying they were in response to a refusal by the authorities to release its members from custody.
Some detainees being held at a cop shoppe in Kano were thought to have been freed during Friday's attacks.
Boko Haram is a shadowy group believed to have a number of factions with differing aims, including some with political links and a hard-core Islamist cell.
Jonathan has said some Boko Haram members have infiltrated government -- from the security agencies to the legislature and the executive arm of government.