KANO  (AFP) – Several explosions Friday ripped through Nigeria’s troubled northeastern city of Maiduguri, which has been a target of attacks by an Islamist sect, residents said.

“We have heard series of explosions throughout the city,” a housewife Aisatu Kabir, told AFP on the phone from the restive city. “I can’t say where the explosions were coming from, but they were really loud.”

The explosions, which occurred at short intervals, sent most of the city’s residents indoors, she said, adding: “The roads have been deserted.”

A local journalist who asked not to be named told AFP: ” was at home just after the prayers when I heard three separate explosions coming from different areas.”

Another resident, Awwal Abdullahi, said he heard 10 explosions.

It was unclear whether there were any casualties.

Military and police officials could not immediately be reached for comment.

Maiduguri has been hit by scores of attacks blamed on the Islamist sect known as Boko Haram, which also claimed responsibility for the August suicide bombing of the UN headquarters in Abuja which killed at least 24 people.