News: Nigerian police say at least 45 dead in market attack

The attack in the restive state of Borno, and reports that 22 people were killed in a separate assault in neighbouring Adamawa, came just a week after Nigeria's new military chief vowed a swift end to the violence.

"So far, we have 45 dead and 26 injured... but the figures could increase as our men are still in the village searching for more casualties," Borno state police commissioner Lawan Tanko told AFP.

The attack happened at about 5:00 pm (1600 GMT) on Sunday when gunmen disguised as traders stormed Kawuri, in the Konduga area of Borno, 37 kilometres (23 miles) from the state capital, Maiduguri.

Witnesses said the gunmen arrived in four-wheel-drive vehicles and opened fire with machine guns before setting off homemade bombs that destroyed houses and other property.

Mr Tanko, who blamed the attack on "the Boko Haram sect", said he could not confirm that explosives were used but a specialist bomb disposal team had been sent in to search for unexploded devices.