Latest bomb blast blamed on Boko Haram kills 20 in northern Nigerian

“El-Rufai, who suspended government activities to travel to Zaria on Tuesday, said:” I am sad that a terrorist bomb attack just killed 20 people in Sabongari, Zaria.

El Rufai, from Buhari’s All Progressives Congress (APC) party, said people in Zaria should be vigilant and avoid crowded places such as mosques, churches and bus stations in the next few weeks.

The group has not yet commented on the latest attack.

Nigeria’s military has released 180 people suspected of being members of the homegrown Nigerian Takfiri terrorist group Boko Haram, including women who had been detained together with their toddlers and infants. Sixty-seven other people were wounded in the attacks Sunday night and were being treated at hospitals, said National Emergency Management Agency coordinator Abdussalam Mohammed. “We have to respect our fallen soldiers, we have to pray for the repose of their souls but most importantly we have to make their families realize that they did not die in vain”, Shettima said.

Plateau, which falls on the dividing line between Nigeria’s mainly Christian south and mostly Muslim north, has also seen waves of sectarian violence that has killed thousands over the last decade.

No-one has claimed responsibility but militant group Boko Haram is suspected to be responsible as the sect has carried out similar attacks in the past. At least 47 more were injured, with AP putting that toll at 67.

Lagos, July 4: Nigeria’s police in restive northeast state of Borno has confirmed the killing of at least 10 persons after Thursday’s multiple suicide attacks in some parts of the state. These attacks included a bombing at an evangelical church that left five people dead.

He said it had already become clear that the violations committed by Boko Haram were extensive and far-reaching, demanding a response of commensurate magnitude.

After the attack, authorities ordered “all beggars and hawkers…to stay off the streets until further notice”, said Kaduna state government spokesman Samuel Aruwan.

CNN’s Christian Purefoy reported from Lagos.