Abuja, March 7 (IANS): Multiple explosions hit Nigeria's northern city of Maiduguri, capital of Borno state, on Saturday in which scores of people are feared dead, witnesses and security sources said.

A man on a tricycle triggered the first explosion near a crowded market in Baga, located in the western axis of Maiduguri city at about noon, Raphael Edeh, a witness, told Xinhua news agency.

"The suspected bomber wanted to enter the fish market but was stopped and, in the process, he detonated his explosives," the witness said.

A second blast hit the Monday Market in the heart of Maiduguri, killing more than a dozen people, said a security source.

The blast went off as rescue workers were evacuating victims of the first blast from the scene, said the source on condition of anonymity.

The third explosion occurred near a state-run motor park known as Borno Express at about 12.30 p.m., a military officer said.

"Anti-bomb squad of the local police arrived at the scene on time. Members of the squad tried to defuse some yet-to-be exploded improvised explosive devices," the military officer, who was not authorised to speak to the media on the incident, said.

Abdul Jalo, a resident, told Xinhua the major roads leading to the area of the third explosion have been condoned off by troops.