Emmanuel Akimotu

Several worshippers were hit in the blast at a crowded mosque on Wednesday evening and taken to nearby hospitals.

The attack is the first in years in Meduguri, the capital of Borno state, where the insurgency by Boko Haram began in 2009.

The city has been largely fortified by a heavy military presence, but in recent months, local officials have warned that in rural areas across the region,

militants have a growing foothold.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, which local officials have called a suicide bombing.

But militants have previously targeted mosques and crowded areas.

Emmanuel Akimotu, NPR News, Lagos.

The soldiers took over the state broadcaster and announced in a live address they had deposed President Patrice Talon.

Gunshots were heard near the president's residence in the capital Port Novo.

But later on Sunday, the interior minister announced they had regained control and a government spokesperson told the AFP news agency that the president was safe.

Talon has been in power since 2016 and was due to step down next April after elections.

He has faced accusations of authoritarianism but attempted military coups in the region have grown common and last year Benin's government said it had rested with multiple officials for planning a takeover.

Emmanuel Akimotu, NPR News, Lagos.

The soldiers took over the state broadcaster and announced in a live address they had deposed President Patrice Talon.

Gunshots were heard near the president's residence in the capital Port Novo.

But later on Sunday, the interior minister announced they had regained control and a government spokesperson told the AFP news agency that the president was safe.

Talon has been in power since 2016 and was due to step down next April after elections.

He has faced accusations of authoritarianism, but attempted military coups in the region have grown common, and last year Benin's government said it had rested with multiple officials for planning a takeover.

Emmanuel Akimotu, NPR News, Lagos.

We've just been witnessing one of the largest and most violent mass demolitions this year in Lagos.