Nigerian bomb blast death toll goes up to 54: Officials

Members of a Nigerian civilian defence group say suspected Islamic extremists have killed at least 54 people by detonating explosive devices in crowded places in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state, in the northeast.

Members of a Nigerian civilian defence group say suspected Islamic extremists have killed at least 54 people by detonating explosive devices in crowded places in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state, in the northeast.

The civilian defence force members insisted on anonymity Monday for fear of reprisals from the Nigerian military which was deployed to protect residents in the town. They said 43 people died in an attack on a mosque and 11 were killed in an attack on market center.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks, but initial suspicion has fallen on the Islamic extremist group Boko Haram, which has resorted to hit-and-run tactics after the Nigerian military recaptured territory once held by the militants.