Northern Nigeria receives its first commercial flight in 2 years

LAGOS, Nigeria – An aviation official says international commercial flights have resumed in northern Nigeria after a two-year suspension despite calls for a continuation of emergency rule in parts of the region.

Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria spokesman Yakubu Dati said Wednesday security will be provided for the newly-renovated international airport in Kano, Nigeria's second-largest city. He said a Sudan Airline flight landed there Wednesday.

He said the situation in Kano remains volatile, but the return of international flights "signifies the return of business." Kano has been the sight of many insurgent attacks, including coordinated bombings in 2012 that killed nearly 200 people.

Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan this week asked lawmakers to extend emergency rule in three northeastern states, which do not include Kano, also a state.