Multiple explosions hit Nigerian city

Gunmen, armed with Kalashnikov rifles, public spaces in Yobe. [EPA]

Gunmen suspected to be members of the Boko Haram have bombed a police station, a bank and a beer parlour in Nigeria’s northeastern Yobe state, reports say.

The gunmen, armed with Kalashnikov rifles, bombed the bank and threw explosives into a police station and a beer parlour in Geidam town late on Saturday, they said.

Gaidam is the hometown of Ibrahim Gaidam, the Yobe state governor. Sulaiman Lawal, state police commissioner, confirmed the city came under attack, but declined to offer any further details.

Idrissa Galda, member of a local vigilante group, said the attackers kept firing indiscriminately and residents remained indoors. Details of casualties were still unclear.

“Many people have been trapped in the attacks but it is difficult to say how many have been affected,” Galda said.

Another resident, Umar Maina, said the attackers engaged the police in a shootout.

“There were three explosions in all, followed by incessant gunshots,” Maina said.

Boko Haram has claimed responsibility for multiple suicide, gun and bomb attacks earlier this month in Damaturu targeting police formations and churches killing 150 people.

The group also claimed responsibility for the August attack on the UN building in Abuja which claimed 24 lives.