Nigeria remains on edge just two days after a blast ripped through a crowded shopping district in Nigeria’s capital Abuja killing 21 people and leaving many others injured.

Visiting the scene of the blasts President Goodluck Jonathan urged citizens to remain vigilant and acknowledged that the country had entered a dark phase in its history with the on-going onslaught from militant Islamist group Boko Haram. They are widely suspected to be behind the suicide attack.

In Abuja families and friends gathered to offer prayers to the victims before laying them to rest.

The attack is the third in three months to cause multiple casualties.

The security situation in Nigeria has attracted international concern after the recent abduction of some 200 schoolgirls by Boko Haram.