From Maiduguri, Borno state capital came a report that there was a loud explosion near a busy a market on Tuesday.
According to reports, a suspected suicide bomber drove the car that was said to have suddenly exploded, leaving some people feared dead.
After the blast, people were seen running from one end to the other for safety.
AFP reports that Army spokesman Muhammad Dole said a Honda car laden with explosives detonated near the post office in the northeastern city, which was packed with people marking the birthday of the Prophet Mohammed.
“Members of the frustrated Boko Haram terrorists are suspected to be behind the bomb explosion,” he said in an emailed statement, adding that there were “scores of deaths and injuries” and one arrest.
The police commissioner of Borno state, of which Maiduguri is the capital, earlier told AFP that there were at least 17 dead and five injured.
“These figures are likely to change by the time we get full reports from our men in the field,” added Lawan Tanko.
A source at the Borno State Specialist Hospital said meanwhile that more than 30 bodies had been brought to the facility but there was no immediate corroboration of the claim.
“Emergency workers are attending to some of the people that sustained injuries,” the health official added.
Dole said that 10 vehicles and five three-wheel motorised rickshaws were destroyed in the blast, which happened in the early afternoon on the annual Islamic festival, which is a public holiday in Nigeria.
Prompt News Online recalls that following escalation of attacks by the insurgents, President Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency in three northern states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa in May 2013.
To further contain the activities of the dreaded Islamist sect, Boko Haram, Nigerian Army has also established a Division headed by a General Officer Commanding (GOC) with headquarters in Maiduguri, charged with counter-terrorism.
