At least six people were killed on Wednesday in an explosion in the northeast Nigerian city of Maiduguri, a civilian vigilante assisting the military against Boko Haram and a witness told AFP.

"We have so far recovered six dead bodies. We are still working at the scene, so the casualties may rise," said Danlami Ajaokuta of the blast on the city's Baga Road, which happened at 5:30 pm (1630 GMT).