This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-25732319

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Nigeria violence: Bomb blast in Maiduguri Nigeria violence: Deadly bomb blast in Maiduguri
(about 3 hours later)
A car bomb has exploded in the north-eastern Nigerian city of Maiduguri, and there are fears of many casualties. A car bomb has exploded in the north-eastern Nigerian city of Maiduguri, killing at least 17 people.
Witnesses spoke of bodies on the ground and AFP news agency quoted police as saying 17 people had died. The Islamist group Boko Haram said it carried out the attack. A suspect has been arrested, the military says.
Blood-spattered people were seen fleeing the scene near a market. Vehicles collided trying to leave. The bomb went off near a market, sending up a large plume of smoke. People were seen fleeing the scene covered in blood.
No organisation has said it was behind the attack, but the Islamist militant group Boko Haram is active in the region. Boko Haram has been conducting a four-year campaign of violence to push for Islamic rule in northern Nigeria.
Boko Haram, which translates as "Western education is sin", has been conducting a four-year campaign of violence to push for Islamic rule in northern Nigeria. The immediate aftermath of Tuesday's blast was described as chaotic, with bodies on the ground and troops firing automatic weapons.
The military was unable to give the BBC a firm casualty figure for the explosion in Maiduguri, which is the capital of Borno state, but said a suspect had been arrested. One witness told the BBC: "I heard a very loud explosion followed by several other explosions. After a while, I came out of my shop and saw many lifeless bodies lying on the floor."
A second car is reported to have been set on fire by the blast. A witness said that the explosion occurred shortly after a motorised rickshaw drove into the market area. Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state, was considered the epicentre of activity by Boko Haram, which translates as "Western education is sin".
One witness told the BBC: "I heard a very loud explosion followed by several other explosions. After a while, I came out of my shop and saw many lifeless bodies lying on the floor. I don't know the number of deaths. But... I saw many people on the floor motionless." But members of the group were forced out of the city by a combination of security forces and a vigilante group known as civilian JTF following the imposition of an emergency rule in May last year, BBC Hausa Editor Mansur Liman reports.
This is the latest in a string of attacks blamed on Boko Haram. On Sunday, militants are reported to have attacked a market in the village of Kayamula, also in Borno state. Five traders were killed. This is the latest in a string of attacks attributed to Boko Haram. On Sunday, militants are reported to have attacked a market in the village of Kayamula, also in Borno state. Five traders were killed.
Boko Haram was also suspected of being behind an attack on 20 December on a military barracks in the town of Bama, south-east of Maiduguri.Boko Haram was also suspected of being behind an attack on 20 December on a military barracks in the town of Bama, south-east of Maiduguri.
The group carried out co-ordinated attacks on Maiduguri's air base and military barracks - also in December - causing extensive damage.The group carried out co-ordinated attacks on Maiduguri's air base and military barracks - also in December - causing extensive damage.
In an attempt to combat the violence, the government declared a state of emergency in Borno last May, and in the neighbouring states of Adamawa and Yobe. The state of emergency declared in May was imposed in Borno and the neighbouring states of Adamawa and Yobe.
United Nations figures suggest more than 1,200 people have been killed in Islamist-related violence since the state of emergency was declared. United Nations figures suggest more than 1,200 people have been killed in Islamist-related violence since the state of emergency started.