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Nigerian twin bomb explosions kill dozens in Jos | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
At least 46 people have been killed and many others injured by two bomb explosions in the volatile central Nigerian city of Jos, police say. | |
The blasts happened in a busy market near a bus terminal. | |
No group has said it carried out the attack. However, Jos has seen several deadly clashes between Christian and Muslim groups in recent years. | |
Islamist militant group Boko Haram has also carried out a spate of recent bombings. | |
A spokesperson for the regional governor told AFP news agency that most of the victims were women. The market and bus terminal are part of the commercial centre of Jos. | |
Journalist Hassan Ibrahim told the BBC that tension was rising in the area, with youths blocking some roads. Religious leaders are appealing for calm. | |
The BBC's Muhammad Kabir Muhammad in the capital Abuja says witnesses at a hospital in Jos saw bodies being brought in that were burned beyond recognition. | |
Images posted on social media showed a huge pall of smoke over the scene. | |
The BBC's Will Ross in Abuja says the bombs were in a lorry and a minibus and exploded a few minutes apart. | |
Although Boko Haram has previously targeted Jos, the capital of Plateau state, the city has been relatively calm for almost two years, our correspondent says. | |
Plateau state lies on the fault-line which divides Nigeria's largely Muslim north from its mainly Christian south. | Plateau state lies on the fault-line which divides Nigeria's largely Muslim north from its mainly Christian south. |
The state has witnessed violence blamed on land disputes between semi-nomadic Muslim Fulani herdsmen and mainly Christian Berom farmers. | The state has witnessed violence blamed on land disputes between semi-nomadic Muslim Fulani herdsmen and mainly Christian Berom farmers. |
The Nigerian government is also currently trying to trace more than 200 girls captured by Boko Haram in April from a boarding school in the north-eastern town of Chibok. | The Nigerian government is also currently trying to trace more than 200 girls captured by Boko Haram in April from a boarding school in the north-eastern town of Chibok. |
The case has shocked the world and prompted foreign powers to send military advisers to assist Nigeria's army tackle the insurgency. | The case has shocked the world and prompted foreign powers to send military advisers to assist Nigeria's army tackle the insurgency. |
On Tuesday, parliament approved a six-month extension of a state of emergency in three north-eastern states - Adamawa, Borno and Yobe. | On Tuesday, parliament approved a six-month extension of a state of emergency in three north-eastern states - Adamawa, Borno and Yobe. |
More than 1,000 people have been killed in Boko Haram attacks this year but the government says it has pushed the militants back into their strongholds in Borno. | More than 1,000 people have been killed in Boko Haram attacks this year but the government says it has pushed the militants back into their strongholds in Borno. |
Boko Haram is fighting to overthrow the government and create an Islamic state. | Boko Haram is fighting to overthrow the government and create an Islamic state. |
However, Nigeria's violence is not confined to the north. | |
Earlier this month a car bomb in the capital Abuja killed at least 19 people and injured 60 more. | Earlier this month a car bomb in the capital Abuja killed at least 19 people and injured 60 more. |
The explosion happened close to a bus station where at least 70 people died in a bomb blast on 14 April. | The explosion happened close to a bus station where at least 70 people died in a bomb blast on 14 April. |
Are you in the area? Did you witness the explosions? You can send us your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using the subject line 'Jos'. | Are you in the area? Did you witness the explosions? You can send us your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using the subject line 'Jos'. |
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. |
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