A Nigerian Red Cross official says 51 people died in twin car bomb blasts at a marketplace in Maiduguri, the northeastern city that is the birthplace of the country's terrorist group.
The official, who insisted on anonymity because he is not authorised to speak to the press, said more people are believed buried in rubble from last night's explosions.
He said among the dead are children who were at a wedding celebration and others watching a soccer match on an outdoor TV screen.
Survivors at the scene today say they captured and beat up one suspect. A security guard said he died in the hospital. Vigilante leader Hassan Ali said his group collected 50 corpses.
The blasts are a major setback to a new military offensive against the Islamic uprising.
