A copy-cat bombing in Nigeria's capital that killed 19 people and wounded scores more has raised fears of Boko Haram's growing strength, just days before Abuja hosts a major world summit.
A car bomb at the Nyanya bus station on the outskirts of the capital exploded late on Thursday just 50 metres from the site of an April 14 blast that killed 75 people, the deadliest attack ever in Abuja.
Boko Haram Islamists, who have killed thousands in a five-year uprising, claimed responsibility for the previous bombing and were suspected of carrying out the latest attack.
Two deadly blasts within three weeks just a few kilometres from the seat of government have sparked security concerns over the World Economic Forum on Africa meet set to open on May 7, which includes a visit from Chinese Premier Li Keqiang.
"Our existing security arrangements are robust," WEF said in a statement about the conference dubbed the "African Davos".
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"There are no plans to make any changes to the program or content of the meeting," it added, offering sympathy for the victims.
Boko Haram analyst Shehu Sani, who has written extensively on religious violence in Nigeria, said the twin Abuja bombings were intended "to send a clear message to the Nigerian government".
The Islamists wanted to demonstrate that "they can hit anytime and any place at their own choosing", Sani said.
"They are trying to show how weak and incompetent the security forces are."
Police said the bomb killed 19 people and National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) spokesman Manzo Ezekiel told AFP that 80 others were injured.
Three undetonated explosive devices were discovered at the scene.
Much of Boko Haram's recent violence has targeted the remote northeast, the group's historic base, where more the 1500 people have been killed already this year.
