Car bomb explodes in northern Nigerian city

MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (AP) — A car bomb exploded at a military checkpoint in a busy urban commercial area in northeast Nigeria. Many are feared killed and injured.

People splattered with blood tried to flee as a second car was ignited by the explosion in Maiduguri and soldiers started firing automatic rifles.

Vehicles smashed into each other as drivers hastened to escape.

A suicide bomber is suspected in the lunchtime Tuesday blast. Maiduguri is the birthplace of the Boko Haram extremist network that has been terrorizing northeast Nigeria.