Fuel tanker explodes in Abuja

Police say a fuel tanker has exploded in Nigeria's capital of Abuja, sending a plume of smoke over the city.

Large explosions were heard this afternoon. Local police spokesman Jimoh Moshood told The Associated Press that the explosions heard in the city came from the fuel tanker explosion, but he had no other details.

Witnesses said they saw road blocks and frightened passers-by.

The blast comes as Nigeria remains under attack from a radical Muslim sect operating in the country's northeast.