Nigeria suicide blast kills scores of teenagers

A school in northern Nigeria has been left reeling from a devastating suicide bomb blast which killed at least 48 people mostly teenage students and injured scores more.

The attack happened in the town of Potiskum in Yobe state which lies close to the stronghold of Sunni MuslimBoko Haram militants.

The bomber is said to have been dressed as a student and detonated his explosives during a school assembly.

Although the group has not claimed responsibility Boko Haram whose name means “Western education is sinful” has attacked schools in the past.

A video released on Sunday shows its leader Abubaker Shekau whom the Nigerian army says it killed a year ago, giving a speech to supporters.

The attack comes a week after Boko Haram denied government claims that 200 girls kidnapped six months ago would soon be released.

Schools in Yobe state have been frequently attacked by Boko Haram militants.

The state is one of three in Nigeria that have been placed under a state of emergency as a result of the group’s activities.

Potiskum, one of the largest towns in Yobe, has been targeted before by Boko Haram.

Last week, a suicide bombing killed 15 people in the town.