Jos, Nigeria (CNN) -- At least 12 people were killed Thursday in two bomb explosions at a market in the central Nigerian city of Jos, a security guard at the scene said, marking the latest instance of violence to hit the volatile region.
Nigeria's state broadcaster NTA reported the explosions took place at the terminus area of the Jos market.
According to Mohammed Adams, a security guard there, a young man walked into the market with a small cart claiming he was carrying yams. He kept moving before detonating one device, killing two.
People chased him, but couldn't stop him before he managed to blow himself up -- killing at least 10 more -- Adams said.
Nigerian officials have yet to provide an official death toll from the explosions.
Located about 250 kilometers (150 miles) northwest of the national capital of Abuja, Jos is in an area that has been beset by violence in recent years.
Much of that fighting has pitted Nigerian troops against Boko Haram, the Islamist terror group trying to impose its strict version of Sharia law across the African nation. Citizens have repeatedly been caught up in the mayhem such as mass kidnappings of women and children as well as bombings of schools, churches and mosques blamed on Boko Haram.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for Thursday's attack.
However, Boko Haram has been tied to violence in Jos before, including a double car-bombing at the same market in May that killed 118 people (http://www.theinfostride.com/forum/'http://www.cnn.com/2014/05/20/world/africa/nigeria-blasts/').
Journalist Hassan John reported from Jos, and CNN's Greg Botelho wrote this story from Atlanta.
Source: CNN