The explosion, which left many others injured, occurred on Tuesday evening in the town of Damaturu, during the Brazil-Mexico match

Scores of Nigerian football fans were killed when a suicide bomber attacked a World Cup viewing centre in northern Yobe State, witnesses said on Wednesday.

The explosion, which left many others injured, occurred on Tuesday evening in the town of Damaturu, during the Brazil-Mexico match, resident Alhaji Ishiaku Yakub told dpa.

“A loud explosion was heard immediately after the night prayer. It happened at Jamilu Cross viewing centre,” said Mr. Yakub.

“My brother ... was injured and his son got a fractured leg. He said many dead [people] were evacuated to the hospital,” Mr. Yakub added.

Until Wednesday morning, the police had yet to disclose the exact number of dead and injured.

In many northern Nigerian towns, police implemented tight security measures to prevent attacks during the World Cup. In the northern Adamawa State, the government decided to close all public viewing centres.

Islamist extremist sect Boko Haram has targeted football viewing centres multiple times in the past five years.