Suspected Islamist militants attacked a wedding convoy in north-east Nigeria and killed more than 30 people including the groom, a government spokesman said.

The wedding ceremony had taken place in Fugi village, in Adamawa state, and the groom and guests were driving home when they were attacked on Saturday on a road between Bama and Gwoza towns, in neighbouring Maiduguri state, a spokesman said.

The road runs alongside forests that are a known hideout of Islamist militants from the Boko Haram terrorist network. Last week suspected extremists attacked a military checkpoint on the road and witnesses said at least four members of the security force were killed.

Attacks have continued though the military has driven the insurgents from major towns in the north-east under a more than five-month-old state of emergency.