Islamic State claims Nigeria bombing, says about 30 killed or hurt

FILE PHOTO: A policeman keeps watch on the road leading to Taraba state electoral commission during the announcement of the results of the Governorship and State assembly elections in Jalingo April 12, 2015. REUTERS/Afolabi Sotunde./File Photo

MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (Reuters) - Islamic State claimed responsibility for an explosion that it said killed or injured 30 people at a market where alcohol was sold in Taraba State, Nigeria, marking an expansion of the area where the extremist group operates in the country.

Northeast Nigeria, especially the states of Borno and Yobe, have been in the grip of Islamist insurgencies for over a decade, but Taraba, located at the eastern end of Nigeria's Middle Belt central region, has not previously been attacked.