Nigeria 'foiled attacks planned for Eid holiday'

Nigeria's state security agency say they have foiled plans by militants to detonate explosives in four northern cities during Eid.

The Department of State Services (DSS) said the attacks were planned in Kano, Sokoto, Kaduna and Maiduguri during the June 26 and 27 public holidays to celebrate Eid, which marks the end of Islam's holy month of Ramadan.

They said they had arrested three suspects and seized weapons including eight assault rifles, 27 hand grenades and live ammunition.

The statement said: "Their aim was to hit on soft targets such as markets, public parks, public processions, recreation centres, as well as worship centres especially the Eid praying grounds and other densely populated areas".

The DSS did not say who they thought was behind the plans.