BREAKING; BOMB BLAST KILLED 11 IN MAIDUGURI

Witnesses say an explosion has rocked a busy commercial area in the city Maiduguri in Nigeria's northeast, the latest of daily attacks blamed on Boko Haram extremists.

The witnesses said soldiers fired into the air, adding to fear and confusion on the busy Baga Road at rush hour as commuters were rushing for tricycle taxis and hawkers were vending their wares.

The blast was followed by a blinding sandstorm that hampered rescue efforts and attempts to get information.

Maiduguri has suffered daily attacks that have killed more than 50 people since the weekend. There have been bombs, rocket-propelled grenades fired into suburbs and other attempts to breach the defenses of the city where Boko Haram was created.

The attacks started after newly inaugurated President Muhammadu Buhari announced he is moving the command center for the war to Maiduguri.