A suicide bomber who lured his victims by giving out naira notes killed over 30 people and seriously injured 80 others including women and children after he detonated his suicide vest in a crowded market in Yola, a city in Northern Nigeria.

The incident happened on Tuesday when traders were busy parking up after evening prayers at the end of the day in the crowded Tipper Garage in the Jambutu area of the city at around 7:48 p.m.

This area houses a livestock market, an open-air restaurant and a mosque. The explosion happened as traders were leaving the mosque and others were eating at the restaurant.

No one has yet claimed responsibility for the attack but the involvement of boko haram cannot be ruled out.

Last Friday, President Muhammadu Buhari was in Yola to decorate soldiers for bravery in the fight against Boko Haram as well as visit a camp for people displaced by six years of violence that have left at least 17,000 people dead.

He told troops he believed Boko Haram “are very close to defeat” and urged soldiers “to remain vigilant, alert and focused to prevent Boko Haram from sneaking into our communities to attack soft targets”.

Since losing most of the territory they took over earlier this year to the Nigerian army, the fighters have focused attacks on markets, bus stations and places of worship, as well as hit-and-run attacks on villages.