The blast hit a mobile phone market during business hours. Witnesses reported several casualties.

Police spokesperson Magaji Majiya said police were deployed at the site while victims were being evacuated to hospitals.

The incident occurred less than 24 hours after another explosion in Yola in the north-east left at least 32 people dead. The attacks were typical of the Islamist group Boko Haram.

President Muhammadu Buhari meanwhile ordered the arrest of former national security advisor Sambo Dasuki, accusing him of siphoning off about 2 billion dollars that should have been spent on military equipment to fight Boko Haram.

Had the funds been used for the jets, helicopters, ammunition and other equipment that they were meant for, “thousands of needless Nigerian deaths would have been avoided,” the presidency said in a statement late Tuesday.

Dasuki has denied any wrongdoing.