One event organiser, who asked to remain anonymous, told the AFP news agency that two male attackers were involved in the attack.
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Witnesses described the suicide bomber as a young man, who rammed into the procession about 2pm.
The leader of the sect in Kano said that 21 members were killed and several others injured by the blast.
The Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) has blamed Boko Haram, a Sunni militant group, for Friday’s attack, according to the BBC.
The group believe Shia Muslims to be heretics that must be killed.
Despite the bombing, the procession, which was on its way from Kano to Zaria, located in a neighboring state, continued to match.
“We’re not surprised that people have been assaulted because this can be the scenario throughout the united states”.
This year, Boko Haram expanded its attacks into Cameroon, Chad and Niger, countries that are contributing troops to a regional force meant to uproot the extremists.
The bomber blew up himself amid the crowd, after he disguised as a member of an Islamic sect which organized the procession, said an unnamed security source. “His accomplice was initially arrested and confessed they were sent by Boko Haram”, he added.
The town, located some 60-km from the state capital Maiduguri, was previously held by Boko Haram militant group.
Nigeria’s president, Muhammadu Buhari, has given his military commanders until next month to end the conflict, but there are fears suicide and bomb attacks may persist.
Niger has suffered numerous cross-border attacks by Boko Haram, which has a stronghold in northeast Nigeria.
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Its 6-year-old uprising has killed 20,000 people and driven 2.3 million from their homes, according to Amnesty International.
