Triple suicide bombing kills 7 in northeast Nigerian city

Witnesses and the military in Nigeria say three bomb blasts in as many minutes exploded in the northeastern city of Maiduguri, killing at least seven people.

The third attack in recent weeks on the densely populated suburb of Anilari-Cross came last night as residents exhausted by temperatures over 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 Celsius) were coming out to enjoy the evening breeze.

Army spokesman Col. Sani Usman said seven people were killed in the attacks blamed on Boko Haram Islamic extremists. Civilian self-defense fighter Abbas Gava said a dozen people were killed and wounded in three suicide bombings.

Nigeria's extremist group has stepped up attacks since President Muhammadu Buhari was elected in March promising to crush an uprising that has killed 20,000 people.