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Nigeria college in Kontagora 'hit by suicide bombing' Nigeria college in Kontagora 'hit by suicide bombing'
(about 2 hours later)
A female suicide bomber has blown herself up at a college in northern Nigeria, witnesses say. A female suicide bomber has blown herself up at a college in northern Nigeria, killing at least three people, witnesses say.
The bomb exploded as the woman was about to enter a hall packed with students at a college in Kontagora town, the witnesses added. The explosion went off outside a packed lecture hall at the college in Kontagora town, the witnesses added.
Casualty numbers are unclear, but lecturer Andrew Randa told the BBC he had seen four bodies. Casualty figures are unclear, but lecturer Andrew Randa told the BBC he had seen four bodies.
This is the second suicide attack on a school this week - on Monday, 46 boys were killed in Yobe State.
Militant Islamist group Boko Haram is waging an insurgency in Nigeria.Militant Islamist group Boko Haram is waging an insurgency in Nigeria.
It has not commented on the blast in Kontagora, some 240km (149 miles) from the capital, Abuja. It has not commented on the blast in Kontagora, some 240km (150 miles) from the capital, Abuja.
The group has declared a caliphate, or Islamic state, in areas it controls in the north-east.The group has declared a caliphate, or Islamic state, in areas it controls in the north-east.
It has carried out a spate of bombings and assassinations in northern Nigeria since launching its campaign in 2009.It has carried out a spate of bombings and assassinations in northern Nigeria since launching its campaign in 2009.
This is the second suicide attack on a school this week - on Monday, 46 boys were killed in Yobe State.
Who are Boko Haram?Who are Boko Haram?
Nigeria's female bombers strikeNigeria's female bombers strike
What now after ceasefire fiasco?What now after ceasefire fiasco?
Mr Randa said he heard a deafening blast and then there was pandemonium as people ran away from the scene.Mr Randa said he heard a deafening blast and then there was pandemonium as people ran away from the scene.
Soldiers rushed to the college and sealed off the area, he said.Soldiers rushed to the college and sealed off the area, he said.
The bomb seemed to have exploded prematurely, as the bomber was still trying to gain entry into the lecture hall when it detonated, other witness told the BBC Hausa service. BBC Nigeria analyst Isa Sanusi says this is the first time Boko Haram has been blamed for an attack in Kontagora, a major town in Nigeria's Niger state.
Three of the four bodies he had seen were those of women, Mr Randa added. If it is confirmed that the group carried out the attack, it would suggest that it has extended its reach to a new area, he says.
The bomb seemed to have exploded prematurely, as the bomber was still trying to gain entry into the lecture hall when it detonated, one witness told the BBC Hausa service.
Three of the four bodies he had seen were those of women, and some had been decapitated, Mr Randa added.
Other witnesses said the bomber died in the blast, and there were many casualties.Other witnesses said the bomber died in the blast, and there were many casualties.
At least seven people were wounded and rushed to hospital, they told the BBC Hausa service. At least seven people were wounded and rushed to hospital, they said.
Boko Haram is opposed to Western education, and believes that Muslim boys and girls should only receive an Islamic education.Boko Haram is opposed to Western education, and believes that Muslim boys and girls should only receive an Islamic education.