Explosions, gunshots in northeast Nigeria city

[Bosonic]

Source: AP

MAIDUGURI, Nigeria—Explosions and heavy gunfire echoed Saturday night through a city in northeast Nigeria that's home to a powerful politician, witnesses and officials said, the latest major attack in a region home to a radical Muslim sect.

It wasn't immediately clear if there were any casualties. The attacks began at 7:30 p.m. Saturday (1830 GMT; 1:30 p.m. EST) in the city of Geidam in Nigeria's Yobe state, which sits near the country's arid border with Niger, authorities said.

Witnesses told The Associated Press that many in the city hid inside their homes after the fighting immediately following evening prayers.

"We started hearing a deafening blast -- boom, boom," said witness Grema Umaru, 39. It followed "with sporadic gunshots near the police station."

Read more: http://www.boston.com/news/world/africa/articles/2011/11/26/explosions_gunshots_in_northeast_nigeria_city/