MAIDUGURI: Nigerian rescue officials say two female suicide bombers have killed at least 22 worshippers in an attack on a mosque on the outskirts of the northeastern city of Maiduguri that is the birthplace of Boko Haram.

Abdul Mohammed of the State Emergency Management Agency says another 17 people were wounded in the explosions early Wednesday.

Coordinator Abba Aji of the civilian self-defense Vigilante Group says one bomber blew up inside the mosque and the second outside as survivors tried to flee.

He says the mosque is in Umarari on the outskirts of the city that is now the command center of the Nigerian military's war against Boko Haram Islamic insurgents. Several suicide bombers have exploded in recent months at roadblocks into the city manned by the military and vigilantes.