Nigeria 'rickshaw bombs' leave seven dead in Maiduguri Published duration 29 October 2016

image copyright AFP image caption The two bombers were driving motorised rickshaws, officials said

Two suicide bombers on motorised rickshaws have killed at least seven people in Maiduguri in the north-east of Nigeria, officials say.

A female suicide bomber blew herself up outside a camp for displaced people, killing five men, the army said.

Within 30 minutes, another bomber detonated explosives near a fuel depot.

Boko Haram Islamists are the key suspects, remaining able to stage frequent attacks despite major recent government gains against them.

Nine bodies, including those of the two suicide bombers, were recovered.

Twenty-four people wounded in the explosions were evacuated to nearby hospitals, said Sani Datta, spokesman for the National Emergency Management Agency.

image copyright AP image caption The main suspects, Boko Haram, have staged many attacks in the area

The agency said the first bomber tried to enter the Bakassi camp, which is estimated to house 16,000 people displaced during the government's seven-year battle against Boko Haram.

A military spokesman said the second bomber was following a fuel tanker "with the sole aim of gaining entry to cause maximum damage and casualties."

Boko Haram

Founded in 2002, initially focused on opposing Western-style education - Boko Haram means "Western education is forbidden" in the Hausa language

Launched military operations in 2009

Has killed thousands, mostly in north-eastern Nigeria, and abducted hundreds, including at least 200 schoolgirls

Joined so-called Islamic State, now calls itself IS's "West African province"

Seized large area in north-east, where it declared caliphate

Regional force has retaken most territory since last year