The Nigerian military on Monday took control of the northeastern town of Maiduguri after a bombing by suspected Islamic militants killed 25 people in an beer garden.

A joint task force of soldiers, navy, air force, police, and immigration and customs officers now controls the town after Sunday's attack that also wounded 12 others.

Task force commander Major General Okechukwu Nwaobo said at least seven gunmen on motorcycles bombed the open-air pub in the Dala Kabompi neighborhood before escaping.

Some witnesses said the attackers also fired gunshots into the crowd.

The carnage is thought to be the work of Boko Haram, an Islamic fundamentalist group whose name in the Hausa language means “Western education is sinful.” However, no one has yet claimed responsibility.

Maiduguri is the capital of Borno state which has embraced staunch Islamic law. Boko Haram has been blamed for numerous attacks targeting police, government officials and religious leaders.