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Bomb Blast Hits Nigeria's Capital


A police officer walks past the ruins of a market outside the state police headquarters in Kano, Nigeria, January 24, 2012 (file photo).
A police officer walks past the ruins of a market outside the state police headquarters in Kano, Nigeria, January 24, 2012 (file photo).
Nigerian authorities say a bomb exploded outside a nightclub in the capital, Abuja, late Friday.

Officials say no one was injured, but the windows of nearby buildings were shattered and a number of cars were damaged.

The explosion came just hours after Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan fired his national security adviser and defense minister.

Nigeria has been hit by scores of bombings blamed on Islamist group Boko Haram.

President Jonathan has been sharply criticized for attending an environmental summit in Brazil this past week while violent clashes continue to plague Nigeria.

Boko Haram does not recognize Nigeria's government or constitution and says it is fighting to establish a strict Islamic state. Authorities say the radical sect is responsible for attacks that have killed scores of people, mostly in the north.

Nigeria is Africa's most populous nation with about 150 million people, divided roughly between Muslims and Christians.

Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.
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