A Boko Haram suicide attack near the north Nigerian city of Kano yesterday has killed at least 21 people.

The attackers targeted a Shia Muslim procession in the village of Dakasoye, 13 miles south of the city, according to Mail&Guardian Africa.

Muhammad Turi, who was leading thousands of people from Kano to Zaria, in the neighbouring state of Kaduna, told reporters at the scene: ""Our procession came under a suicide attack. We lost 21 people and several others have been injured. We are not surprised that we've been attacked because this is the situation all over the country.

"This will not deter us from our religious observance. Even if all of us were bombed the last person will carry on with this duty."

An AFP reporter in Dakasoye said the road was splattered with bloodstains but the pilgrims, who were flanked by security guards, had continued their march.

organiser told AFP the bomber ran into the crowd before he could be spotted and detonated his explosives. He said that the attackers were part of a group of young men abducted by Boko Haram in last year and taken to the remote Sambisa Forest where they were given some military training.

The bomber detonated his explosives after realising his accomplice had been arrested, the organiser added.

A military offensive under the orders of Nigeria's new Muhammadu Buhari has put Boko Haram under pressure and succeeded in driving them out of much of the territory they held. However, yesterday's attack supports fears that they may change their tactics and concentrate on 'soft' targets using suicide attackers.