In October, 10 IMN members were reported to have been killed in northern Katsina state following clashes with security forces during a religious celebration.

Ansaru took responsibility for the kidnapping of a French engineer in northern Katsina state in 2012 who escaped captivity more than a year later.

Police commissioner Muhammadu Katsina confirmed there had been a suicide bombing and said he had visited the scene but could not give a death toll.