Abuja, Sep 19 (IANS): Dozens of people were killed by Boko Haram militants Friday at a local market in Mainok area of Nigeria's northeastern state of Borno, survivors and security sources said.

The attackers hit the market, located some 56 km from Maiduguri, capital of the restive Borno State, while buying and selling was at its peak, Bello Adamu, an eyewitness told Xinhua.

Traders who were more affected in the attack noted the attackers struck at about 1.30 p.m.

A security source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said at least 21 people were killed in the attack which lasted for an hour.

The attackers also carted away some money and wares as they ransacked stores in the local market, the source said via telephone.

Those injured in the attack have been taken to local health facilities in the area, the source added.

Military authorities in the state were yet to confirm or issue a statement on the attack at of the time of filing this report, but a source said a detachment of troops had been deployed to the area.

The Boko Haram, an Islamist sect, has proved to be a major security threat in Nigeria, Africa's most populous country, in the last five years.