President Goodluck Jonathan has appealed to Nigerians to assist the security agencies in arresting members of the Islamic militants known as Boko Haram.

Jonathan made the appeal as he paid a visit to Kano on Sunday after the northern Nigerian city faced one of the deadliest Boko Haram attacks in recent times.

The series of coordinated bomb attacks and subsequent gun battles claimed the lives of over 165 people, including Channels Television reporter, Enenche Akogwu.

The attacks were claimed by the sect in a statement released by its purported spokesman who operates under the name Abul Qaqa the local BBC service reported.

On his condolence trip to Kano, northern Nigeria’s largest city, Jonathan met with the emir of the city, Alhaji Ado Bayero to express sadness about Friday’s bomb attacks.

“A terrorist attack on one person is an attack on all of us,” Jonathan said during his visit with the emir.

He urged Nigerians to remain on the alert and cooperate with security agents to flush out the perpetrators of terrorist acts. “The people doing this are not spirit. They are among us. I seek the cooperation of all towards getting those involved in the havoc arrested.

“I assure Nigerians that the government will intensify its security in Kano and all over teh country to unravel the mystery behind this act,” the President added.

During his visit, Jonathan inspected some of the sites of the attacks, including the police headquarters, one of the eight official buildings targeted by the sect in the attacks.

Assessing the damage, the President vowed to work tirelessly alongside government officials until terrorism is wiped and promised assistance to the injured and loved ones of the victims claimed in Friday’s attacks.

Despite assurances from security agents, curfews and armed guards in place, residents in Kano are still wary and the atmosphere remains tense.

The attacks have left the city of 9 million people in a state of shock, is the latest in a series of attacks attributed to the sect in recent weeks.

President Goodluck Jonathan had declared a state of emergency in 15 local government areas in four states, beefing up security, and shutting down international borders between the country and its northern neighbours.

Kano city was not among those covered in the state of emergency. The full extent of the damage done to lives and property is still unknown.