56 dead in Nigeria market blast
July 02, 2014  02:25
A civilian patrol group says a car bomb in a marketplace in the northeast Nigerian city of Maiduguri has killed at least 56 people. 

Sadiq Abba Tijjani, leader of the Civilian Joint Task Force, said his group recovered at least 56 dead bodies at the blast site today, although many were in parts or burnt beyond recognition.

Other witnesses also estimated the death toll to around 50. Some officials said only 17 people died in the explosion that ripped through the market early today, but officials regularly play down the death toll. 

Witnesses and officials blamed Boko Haram, the Islamic extremists accused of a bombing campaign that has killed scores in recent weeks.
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