Strife-torn northern Nigeria was hit by two deadly attacks on Wednesday, when a female suicide bomber was killed as she tried to enter a military barracks and seven died in a bus explosion.

Strife-torn northern Nigeria was hit by two deadly attacks on Wednesday, when a female suicide bomber was killed as she tried to enter a military barracks and seven died in a bus explosion.

Soldiers opened fire on the woman when she refused to be searched as she approached the barracks in Bolari, in Gombe state, detonating the explosives belt she was wearing, according to eyewitness accounts.

The woman was killed instantly, witnesses said.

"The woman refused to stop and continued to advance towards the military guards at the gates despite repeated orders from them to stop at a distance," said Shuaibu Nasir, who lives near the gates of the barracks.

"The soldiers opened fire on the woman who quickened her pace towards them and as they fired shots at her she exploded with a loud sound that shook our buildings," Nasir said.

No official confirmation of the death toll has been given.