Suspected Islamist militants struck the capital of Nigeria's Plateau province Jos, killing at least 44 people in twin attacks at a mosque and a restaurant.
The city of Jos has endured several attacks attributed to Boko Haram, including an incident in February that killed at least 15 and one in December 2014 which saw more than 30 deaths.
Though no group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet, it had the hallmarks of Boko Haram insurgents, reported Reuters. Boko Haram has been fighting since 2009 to carve out a radical Islamic state in Nigeria, Africa's biggest economy and its largest oil producer.
The attacks came shortly after a day of fasting on Sunday during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Of the 44 dead, 23 were killed at the restaurant and 21 at the mosque, Nigeria's National Emergency Management Agency (Nema) told the BBC.
The restaurant was blown up by a bomb that had been planted earlier, whereas the mosque saw gunfire preceding the attack by a suicide bomber. "When they started shooting people, people started running helter skelter for their lives. Unfortunately those that stood up were shot," said Akaria Ahammed, an eyewitness of the mosque carnage.
Many people believe that Sheikh Muhammad Sani Yahya Jingir, the mosque's imam who was preaching at the time of the incident, might have been the main target. The sheikh, one of the most influential clerics in Nigeria, who survived the attack, is known for his opposition to Boko Haram and has written a book which criticizes the group.
The inauguration of President Muhammadu Buhari on May 29 has seen an increase in Boko Haram attacks in northern Nigeria with a wave of raids, explosions and suicide bombings, according to ABC News. The latest killings bring the total number of dead to 500.
