File: a Boko Haram bomber

A suicide bombing at the  government secretariat in Nigeria’s northeastern city of Maiduguri killed at least four people on Thursday, residents said.

Rescue workers were seen carrying four bodies away.

The attack in the city centre bore the hallmark of the jihadist group, Boko Haram, which has been waging an insurgency in the north for seven years.

It was the second suicide bombing attack in 12 hours.

The terrorist carrying Improvised Explosive Device (IED), attempted to attack worshippers at Sulaimanti mosque during early morning prayer.

He was however prevented from gaining access to the mosque. Five civilians sustained injuries during the failed attempt.

A team of specialists on Explosive Ordinance Device (EOD) have successfully detonated the remaining IEDs and combed the area.

The injured had since been evacuated to the hospital while troops and security agents have intensified patrol within the general area.