An Islamist blew himself up outside police headquarters in the Nigerian capital Abuja on Thursday in what is believed to be the first suicide bombing in the country’s history.

The group ‘Boko Haram’ claimed responsibility for the attack that killed at least six people – including the bomber – and injured several more.

"We are responsible for the bomb attack on the police headquarters in Abuja which was to prove a point to all those who doubt our capability,” said a statement signed by Abu Zaid, Boko Haram’s spokesman.

Zaid said the intention had been to kill Nigeria’s chief of police in retaliation for recent comments in which he said he would crush Boko Haram which has launched a string of bomb attacks in northern Nigeria in recent months.