President Goodluck Jonathan has challenged Islamist Sect, Boko Haram to state clearly its demands as a basis for talks, while acknowledging that military confrontation will not end their insurgency.

Speaking at the presidential villa in Abuja, President Jonathan said there was no doubt that Boko Haram had links with other jihadist groups outside Nigeria.

The sect killed more than 500 people last year and more than 250 in the first couple of weeks of 2012 in gun and bomb attacks in some states in the country’s northern region.

Police and army officials have confirmed fresh explosions that rocked a bus terminal in Kano State forcing the area to be evacuated.

Army Spokesman, Iweha Ikedichi said soldiers and police officers have cordoned off the area and the route was temporarily sealed off.

Local media reports say the area, known as New Road, holds a bus terminal for people travelling to the country’s eastern region, the home of the mainly Igbo ethnic group of Nigeria.