Four suicide bombers have killed around 25 people in the country's rural north. Violence is suspected to be linked to Islamist militant group Boko Haram active in the region.

Authorities said on Monday that two bombers struck the Bodo central market while others hit the town's main entrance and exit points.

"There was a quadruple suicide bombing in the village of Bodo this morning. There are around 25 deaths and several wounded," an unnamed local official told the Reuters news agency.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack.

"There were three suicide attacks at the market, there are many casualties," a security official confirmed to the AFP news agency, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Monday's attack was not the first time the village of Bodo was targeted. A month ago two women attempted blow themselves up at an entrance to the market but were prevented by residents who intervened.

The women detonated their suicide vests but only succeeded in killing themselves.

Boko Haram militants suspected

Boko Haram is suspected to be behind the attacks. The Islamist militant group has stepped up attacks outside Nigeria over the past year, including in Cameroon, Chad and Niger, threatening regional security.

Cameroonian troops form part of an 8,700-strong regional force created to battle Boko Haram, which has waged a six-year campaign to carve out a separate state primarily in northeastern Nigeria.

Less than two weeks ago, a suicide bomber struck a mosque in Kouyape in northern Cameroon. Some 12 people perished in the January 13 attack that also seriously injured at least one person.