Female suicide bomber kills 15 in NE Nigeria market: police

ABUJA - At least 15 people were killed after a female suicide bomber detonated an improvised explosive device at a market in Damaturu city of Nigeria's northeastern Yobe State on Sunday, local police said.

More injured people were rushed to a state-run hospital in town following the blast which rocked Damaturu Sunday Market at about 9: 30 a.m. local time, Yobe State police spokesman, Toyin Gbadegesin, told Xinhua.

"So far, we have been able to confirm 15 people dead, though more bodies are being transported to the hospital," the police mouthpiece said.

Malik Garba, a witness, who assisted injured victims before the arrival of rescue workers, said the incident has caused heavy traffic in the commercial town of Damaturu, which is also capital of the restive Yobe State.

The suicide attack was typical of Boko Haram, a terror group waging war against the Africa most populous country since 2009.

A suicide bomber killed three policemen at a checkpoint on the outskirts of Damaturu six days ago.

Boko Haram stepped up its attacks in the northeastern region of Nigeria since May 29, after President Muhammadu Buhari announced the relocation of the military command center to neighboring Borno State in a bid to rout the terror group from its stronghold.