Multiple blasts rock northeast Nigerian town

Multiple blasts and gunshots rocked a military base in northeast Nigerian town of Biu on Tuesday, a security source and witnesses said.

Three blasts were heard, one after the other, in the town, a major commercial hub in Borno State, Abu Miringa, a member of the civilian security force told Xinhua.

The security source said casualty figures could be high as gun shots followed the explosions.

According to a military officer, who declined to offer his name, suspected militant group Boko Haram fighters fired at the military base after detonating the explosive devices.

Security operatives responded to the attack and cordoned off the area, said Bala Mohammed, a local resident.

"Military vehicles have blocked the roads leading to state capital Maiduguri and ambulances have been called to take the victims to a nearby hospital," Mohammed said.

No official statement has been released on the attack which occurred five days after a suicide bomber killed several people and injured up to 40 others in the town's market. Enditem