Blasts at Nigeria churches kill 39,Boko Haram claims attacks

The death toll rose to 39 as another church bombing and two suicide attacks were witnessed in other northern cities.

The explosion at St Theseras Catholic occurred after a Mass to celebrate Christmas,while the second church bombing took place in a Mountain of Fire church in central city of Jos where constant clashes have taken place between Muslims and Christians.

The police in cities of Damaturu in Yobe state and Maiduguri in Borno state Sunday said the number of wounded are still being counted as a suicide bomber attacked the two restive cities. The carnage in Madalla left at least 17 cars damaged by the bomb which killed those who queued up to drive or board commercial vehicles to their homes.

The increase in number of deaths from an initial 25 came as more died in hospitals where they were taken to for medical attention. The owners of these vehicles queued up to drive home after the early morning mass where the message of love,peace and joy was delivered to herald the Feast of Nativity. Sadly,what we met was this ugly situation, the pastor of the church,Rev Fr Isaac Achi said. One of the victims was found on the roof of the church while several dead bodies were littered in gutters and other parts of the premises.

Angry youths gathered to protest after the attack,but were dispersed by the police. The explosion in Jos killed a police officer and while three vehicles were destroyed. In Yobe state,police commissioner Tanko Lawan said a suicide attacker targeted the headquarters of the oil rich African countrys secret police,State Security Service SSS.

Boko Haram sect,which wants to install an Islamic government,has been waging war with the state in its quest to fulfil its ambition. Over 100 people were killed last week when the army engaged them in gun battles in Damaturu,Maiduguri and Potiskum. Both Muslims and Christians having an equal share in the Nigerias population of 150 million.