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Nigeria churches hit by blasts during Christmas prayers Nigeria churches hit by blasts during Christmas prayers
(40 minutes later)
Bomb blasts targeting Christmas Day church services in two Nigerian cities have killed at least 26 people, amid potentially co-ordinated violence in several Nigerian states. Bomb blasts targeting Christmas Day church services in two Nigerian cities have killed some 26 people, with at least three attacks on other towns.
Some 25 people died and more were hurt in an attack at St Theresa's Church in Madalla near Nigeria's capital Abuja. The Islamist group Boko Haram said it had attacked Theresa's Church in Madalla, near the capital Abuja, killing 25 people.
The Islamist group Boko Haram said it carried out the attack. A second explosion shortly after hit a church in the central city of Jos. A policeman died during gunfire.
A second explosion shortly afterwards hit a church in the central city of Jos, killing at least one person. Three attacks in northern Yobe state targeted a church and security forces.
There have also been three attacks in Yobe state in northern Nigeria, targeting a church, the police and the army.
Two hit the town of Damaturu, and a third struck Gadaka. Yobe state has been the epicentre of violence between security forces and Boko Haram militants.Two hit the town of Damaturu, and a third struck Gadaka. Yobe state has been the epicentre of violence between security forces and Boko Haram militants.
'Everyone was crying'
Local observers say it is beginning to look like a co-ordinated offensive by Islamic militants.Local observers say it is beginning to look like a co-ordinated offensive by Islamic militants.
Boko Haram - whose name means "Western education is forbidden" - often targets security forces and state institutions.Boko Haram - whose name means "Western education is forbidden" - often targets security forces and state institutions.
The group carried out an August 2011 suicide attack on the UN headquarters in Abuja, in which more than 20 people were killed.The group carried out an August 2011 suicide attack on the UN headquarters in Abuja, in which more than 20 people were killed.
Nearly 70 people have died this week in fighting between Nigerian forces and Boko Haram gunmen in the country's north-east.Nearly 70 people have died this week in fighting between Nigerian forces and Boko Haram gunmen in the country's north-east.
Emergency workers 'attacked'
National Emergency Management Agency (Nema) spokesman Yushau Shuaibu told the BBC that the latest Abuja explosion had happened in the street outside the church.National Emergency Management Agency (Nema) spokesman Yushau Shuaibu told the BBC that the latest Abuja explosion had happened in the street outside the church.
He said the church - which can hold up to 1,000 people - had been badly affected by the blast, and the number of dead was likely to rise.He said the church - which can hold up to 1,000 people - had been badly affected by the blast, and the number of dead was likely to rise.
Witnesses said windows of nearby houses had been shattered by the explosion. Unconfirmed reports say that emergency responders have been attacked by groups of stone-throwing youths. Witnesses said windows of nearby houses had been shattered by the explosion.
Unconfirmed reports say that emergency responders have been attacked by groups of stone-throwing youths.
Officials at the local hospital said the condition of many of the injured was serious, and they were seeking help from bigger medical facilities.Officials at the local hospital said the condition of many of the injured was serious, and they were seeking help from bigger medical facilities.
Businessman Munir Nasidi was in a hotel opposite the church when the blast occurred.Businessman Munir Nasidi was in a hotel opposite the church when the blast occurred.
He told the BBC: "When I came out of the hotel, people were running around. Everyone was crying. They were bringing out casualties. Nobody was getting near the building as there was a fire."He told the BBC: "When I came out of the hotel, people were running around. Everyone was crying. They were bringing out casualties. Nobody was getting near the building as there was a fire."
BBC Africa editor Martin Plaut says that the attack in Jos, in Plateau state - which killed at least one policeman and destroyed three vehicles - could have even more serious consequences than the attack in Abuja. In Jos, a blast close to the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Church was followed by gunfire that left one officer dead, government spokesman Pam Ayuba told Associated Press.
Two explosive devices found in a nearby building were disarmed as military were deployed to the site.
BBC Africa editor Martin Plaut says the attack in Jos, in Plateau state, could have even more serious consequences than the attack in Abuja.
The state lies in Nigeria's so-called Middle Belt, between the mainly Muslim north and Christian south.The state lies in Nigeria's so-called Middle Belt, between the mainly Muslim north and Christian south.
More than 1,000 have been killed in religious and ethnic violence in Jos over the past two years and our correspondent says there will be fears that the latest attack could spark wider conflict.More than 1,000 have been killed in religious and ethnic violence in Jos over the past two years and our correspondent says there will be fears that the latest attack could spark wider conflict.
A string of bomb blasts in Jos on Christmas Eve 2010 were claimed by Boko Haram.A string of bomb blasts in Jos on Christmas Eve 2010 were claimed by Boko Haram.
Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi condemned the latest attacks as blind, absurd "terrorist violence" that enflames hate.Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi condemned the latest attacks as blind, absurd "terrorist violence" that enflames hate.
"We are close to the suffering of the Nigerian Church and the entire Nigerian people so tried by terrorist violence, even in these days that should be of joy and peace," Lombardi was quoted by Reuters news agency as saying."We are close to the suffering of the Nigerian Church and the entire Nigerian people so tried by terrorist violence, even in these days that should be of joy and peace," Lombardi was quoted by Reuters news agency as saying.
Are you in the area? Did you witness the explosions? You can contact the BBC using the form below:Are you in the area? Did you witness the explosions? You can contact the BBC using the form below: