Twin bomb blasts have hit a market in the central Nigerian city of Jos, capital of Plateau State, killing upwards of 40 people.

The dastardly attack, which bears the trade mark of Boko Haram terrorist group, took place shortly after 6pm yesterday near the site where a similar attack killed at least 118 people last May.

The blasts occurred as store owners were shutting their shops and Muslims were preparing for evening prayers.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) confirmed 17 deaths and 25 injured but independent sources gave higher death tolls.

NEMA Spokesman Abdulsalam Mohammed said the agaency’s staff were combing through the areas where the explosions occurred for IEDs that may have been planted by the perpetrators.

Witnesses told the AP news agency that one blast went off at an outdoor food stand and the other at the nearby entrance to the Terminus market in the centre of the city.

The Nigerian medical association put out a call on radio and television calling on doctors off duty to go to the three hospitals where victims were admitted to assist their colleagues.

•Photo shows scene of the May 2014 Jos bomb attack.