Some 17 other people have been wounded, including 13 children from a school near the blast scene.

An al-Shabab suicide bomber driving an explosives-laden vehicle targeted a convoy of a private security firm, Duguf, in Mogadishu.

The police did not say if UN staff were hurt in the attack.

Local media reports said the blast occurred during the morning rush hour near the busy Kilometre Four junction.

The al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabab militants have confirmed carrying out the attack. Pro-al-Shabab media sources said the militants targeted “white military officers”.

Al-Shabab frequently targets security forces and government officials in Mogadishu.