KANO, Nigeria — At least 41 people died in a suicide car bomb that struck a bus station in a Christian neighborhood in Kano, northern Nigeria’s busiest commercial center, in the most deadly attack in nine months that is blamed on Islamic extremists, an official said Tuesday.

The blast increased tensions in this divided West African nation.

At least 44 others were injured in the attack that hit the city of Kano on Monday evening, said a rescue official who asked not to be named because he is not authorized to speak to the press.

Kano state police said Tuesday two men rammed an explosive-laden blue VW Golf into a full passenger bus in a mainly Christian enclave in the predominantly Muslim commercial center.

By striking about 5 p.m. Monday, the bombers seemed to have targeted passengers preparing for the 15-hour overnight road trip to the megacity of Lagos in Nigeria’s south, loved ones bidding them farewell and vendors selling drinks and snacks. The blast triggered panic and pandemonium in a city that has seen similar violence in the past.

Kano police chief Musa Daura said in a statement at least 22 people had died, but the rescue official said there were 41 deaths at least. There were 21 bodies at Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital and 20 more at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, rescue officials said.

They also were treating 41 and 3 injured, respectively.

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