Abuja, Sep 17 (IANS): An explosion followed by sporadic gunfire rocked the premises of the Federal College of Education in northwest Nigeria's Kano state Wednesday afternoon, residents who scampered to safety said.

No immediate figure of casualties has been given, but residents of Kabuga, the host community of the college where the incident is currently going on, said there is palpable tension in the area.

Abu Ibrahim, a resident, told a Xinhua reporter over telephone that the pandemonium has forced students to seek refuge outside the institute's premises and shop owners closed business for safety.

The Xinhua reporter said he heard heavy gunfire on the other end of the telephone as Ibrahim ended the call, shouting: "Can your hear that? Can you hear that? Those are gun shots. We need help. Please, call the security operatives."

A security officer said a detachment of mobile policemen had been deployed to bring the situation under control and cordon off the area.

It is unclear if the Boko Haram, a Islamist sect which has proved to be a major security threat in the West African country, was behind the attack.