Nigeria's Boko Haram Islamists on Tuesday claimed a weekend attack at a graveyard in central Plateau state that left at least 22 people dead, including two prominent politicians.

Police and officials have blamed nomadic herdsmen for the raid, but in a statement issued from purported spokesman Abul Qaqa, Boko Haram said it "wants to inform of its delight over the success of the attacks we launched... in Plateau state."