Eight persons have been reported killed as a suicide bomber attacked a market in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
The development was confirmed by both the National Emergency Management Agency and the Police, though with different casualty figures.
While NEMA said eight persons died, the police put the death toll at five with many injured.
The suicide bomber struck around Muna Garage.
Victor Isuku, the spokesman of the Borno State Police Command, confirmed the incident in a statement.
Isuku said: “Please be informed that at about 0830 today (Wednesday), there was an Improvised Explosive Device explosion on board a Golf 1 motor vehicle with reg. No JERE 349 XA, body S/No RTEAN 7179 taxi colour.
“The car was carrying five people – four females and a male driver.”
He said the explosion occurred around Muna garrage along Maiduguri/Gamboru Ngala Road.
He said: “The explosion occurred when the taxi was attempting to join the convoy of other vehicles heading to Gamboru town.
“All the four female passengers and the male driver died in the explosion.”
Isuku said the bomber was suspected to have been picked by the driver on the road.
Isuku note: “The suicide bomber, who is reasonably believed to be one of the female casualties, was picked along the road.”
He, however, said that the explosion did not affect the other vehicles on the queues as everybody rushed out after the explosion.
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