The Borno State Police Command has confirmed that 20 persons were killed this afternoon in a bomb attack that rocked the popular Maiduguri Monday market.

The command spokesperson, Mr Gideon Jibrin, who confirmed the attack and casualty figure to reporters in Maiduguri, also said 18 others sustained various degrees of injuries.

He said 20 people including the suicide bomber died in the attack which occurred around 12:30pm Local time.

In a text message sent to reporters by the spokesman for the Borno Police Command, Mr Gideon Jibrin said: “20 persons were killed in the attack including the female suicide bomber with 18 others injured at the market.”

It was gathered that the female suicide bomber attacked the section of the market where chickens were sold.

The section of the market was immediately cordoned off by security forces.

There are indication that the death toll of the market attack may, however, rise as rescue team continued to carry out rescue mission at the site of the blast