Explosion, gunfire in northeast Nigerian town

A heavy explosion followed by bursts of sporadic gunfire hit the northeastern Nigerian town of Maiduguri on Wednesday, where a militant Islamist sect has been waging a campaign of violence.

The blast, which appeared to come from the centre of the town, shattered windows in surrounding neighborhoods shortly after 7 am (0600 GMT) and was followed by sporadic bursts of automatic gunfire, a Reuters witness and local residents said. (Reuters)