Explosions kill 30 people in market in northern Nigeria

MADAGALI , Nigeria, Dec. 9 (UPI) -- At least 30 people were killed in bomb explosions in a crowded market in Madagali, Nigeria. The attack was blamed on the Islamist group Boko Haram.

The Nigerian military confirmed the death toll, which is expected to go higher.

The town was one of several in Nigeria's Adamawa state, which is adjacent to the Boko Haram stronghold of Borno state, held by the terrorist group at the height of its power. Boko Haram's seven-year insurgency has been blamed for at least 20,000 deaths, including 30 in Madagali in 2015 when two female suicide bombers exploded bombs.

Although Boko Haram has not claimed responsibility, the group is noted for kidnapping civilians and forcing them to undertake suicide bombings. The incident was confirmed by Alhaji Yusuf Mohammed, chairman of Madagali's local government, as well as by Sa'ad Bello, coordinator of Nigeria's National Emergency Management Agency in Adamawa and Taraba.

A NEMA post on social media Friday said the bombers were unidentified females.