2nd LD: Dozens feared killed in Nigeria market explosion

Dozens of people were feared killed Thursday as an explosion ripped through a crowded market in Nigeria's northeastern state of Borno, one of the three most-hit states by the insurgency of Boko Haram, witnesses said.

It is not clear if it was a suicide attack, said Buba Abdullahi, a witness who said dozens of injured people and dead bodies had been evacuated to a nearby hospital in Biu, a town located in the southern part of Borno, 185 km away from Maiduguri, the state capital.

"It is our market day here in Biu, so the place was full to the brim. We just heard the loud blast and everyone scampered for safety. But mostly affected were the people transacting business at the spot were the loud bang was heard," the witness said via telephone.

According to him, more charred bodies of victims still littered the scene of the explosion.

A leader of the local traders' association, who pleaded for anonymity, said security operatives and rescue workers had just arrived the place to cordon off the area and assist victims.

Local people blamed the attack on Boko Haram, a terror group which has proved to be a major security threat in the West African country. So far, no official has issued any official statement on the incident.

In a recent video released by Boko Haram, the group threatened to carry out more deadly attacks as multinational troops of Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon and Chad are collaborating to wipe out its fighters within their territories.

Having postponed the general polls over security challenges, authorities in Nigeria have vowed to crush the militant group in the coming weeks. Endi