1st LD Writethru: 14 killed, 39 injured in Nigeria serial blasts: military

Fourteen people were killed and 39 others injured in devastating multiple blasts which rocked parts of Nigeria's Maiduguri city, capital of the northeastern state of Borno late Thursday, the army said Friday.

Four explosions went off in Sajeri and Dalla areas of the restive northern state, acting spokesman of the Nigerian army Col. Kukasheka Sani Usman said.Two explosions went off in each area.

Four Boko Haram suicide bombers carried out the attacks by detonating their vests, said the army spokesman, noting the fourth explosion occurred in front of a local mosque.

A local hospital source told Xinhua that there might be a rise in the death toll, as some of the injured are currently in critical conditions.

The multiple explosions followed a more cheerful event, in which at least 80 Boko Haram insurgents surrendered to troops of the Nigerian army in Borno State.

A statement by the Nigerian army said those who surrendered included Boko Haram commanders, suppliers of logistics and foot soldiers.

The Boko Haram members who surrendered have been confirmed to have carried out several deadly attacks in Bama axis of Borno State, the army statement added.

A week ago, more than 200 Boko Haram fighters surrendered to Nigerian troops in Banki area of the northeastern state of Borno, a strategic town which was retaken from the terrorists last Thursday.

The army, in an effort to end the six-year Boko Haram insurgency, said it is advancing on the Sambisa forest -- the terror group's stronghold.

It claims to have routed the insurgents in different towns and communities in the northern states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa in the last few weeks.

Boko Haram, whose name means "Western education is forbidden", has killed over 13,000 people and abducted hundreds since starting its operations in 2009. Endit