No fewer than six people were killed and several others injured in a suicide bombing targeting a restaurant near police academy in Mogadishu’s Hamr Jajab district, Somali police said on Tuesday.

“A suicide bomber blew himself up at a restaurant near police facility. we can confirm that six people including soldiers were killed in the blast,” a police officer who requested anonymity said.

Ismael Omar, government spokesman confirmed the blast, saying the attacker targeted security officers who were inside the restaurant.

“There was a suicide bomb blast near the police training academy but I don’t have full information concerning the incident,” Mr. Omar said.

Plumes of black smoke could be seen billowing from the scene from the distance.

Witnesses said they heard a huge blast at the police academy and ambulances were seen rushing to the scene.