Kano — The Emir of Kano, Ado Bayero Saturday survived an attack launched by unknown gunmen on his convoy at Masalaci Murtala in Kano metropolis.

Vanguard gathered that the 19th Fulani Emir had gone to a religious function at the mosque when his attackers exploited the traditional firing of dane guns by his royal guards, which heralded his exit, to strike.

According to sources, "what followed was sporadic shots which triggered pandemonium as the crowd that had converged to bid the Emir farewell scampered to safety.

Unconfirmed report says that two royal guards were feared dead, with several people sustaining injuries.

File photo: The emir of Kano Ado Bayero leads Muslim faithfuls in prayers at the central mosque in the northern Nigerian city of Kano on January 23, 2012 where around 200 Muslim faithful including clerics and traditional leaders held special prayers for peace following multiple explosions and shooting assaults in the city on Friday that left around 250 dead, according to medical source.

Vanguard source, who craved anonymity said, "We heard an explosion and sporadic gunshots around Masalaci Murtala area where the Emir had attended a religious function. I want to add that the Emir survived the attack."

Efforts to reach Capt Idiche Iweha, the JTF spokesman in the city, proved abortive as at the time of this report.