Two explosions have rocked a crowded market in the northeast Nigerian city of Maiduguri, causing dozens of casualties.

Witnesses say two female suicide bombers targeted the market late Tuesday morning.

Officials say at least 30 people were killed or wounded. A health worker, Dogara Shehu, told the French news agency that he counted more than 45 people killed.

Witnesses say the first bomber set off her explosives, killing a few people, and as people gathered at the blast site, the second bomb exploded.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility but suspicion will likely fall on militant group Boko Haram.

The group is blamed for scores of deadly bombings and other attacks over the past five years. Use of female bombers, once rare, is becoming more common.

Boko Haram has taken over territory in Borno and Adamawa states for what it calls a caliphate to be ruled under Islamic law.

Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has asked lawmakers to extend a state of emergency in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states.

Material for this report came from AP and Reuters.

 
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