http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2011/12/2011122581347745807.html
Dozens dead in Nigeria church bombing
Witness says at least 25 dead bodies removed from scene near capital Abuja and
second bombing reported in city of Jos.
Last Modified: 25 Dec 2011 12:11
At least 25 people have been killed by an explosion outside a church in the
Nigerian capital during Christmas celebrations, according to a relief worker.
Witnesses have also reported a second attack and loud explosions in the central
town of Jos, according to the Reuters news agency.
Al Jazeera's Ahmed Idris, reporting from the scene of the attack in the town of
Madalla, said the attacker used an improvised explosive device after failing to
gain access to the church.
A relief worker told Idris at least 25 bodies were removed from the carnage.
The source added that six of the bodies had been mutilated.
"I am standing near a huge crater left in the road. The damage to structures
and buildings can be seen from 150m away. The church and surrounding shops and
homes were also damaged," said Idris.
"At least eight cars and two motorcycles were burnt beyond recognition."
The explosion at St Theresa Church on Christmas morning was confirmed by Yushau
Shuaib, a spokesman for the National Emergency Management Agency of the blast
in the Madalla area.
People were inside the church at the time of the blast, but Shuaib could not
initially determine how many.
Speaking to Al Jazeera, Felix Onuah, a Nigerian journalist said emergency
workers were trying to evacuate the injured from the area where a Christmas
procession and service had been in progress.
The emergency agency reported that it did not have enough ambulances available
to evacuate the dead and the wounded, according to Reuters.
Second blast
A government official says a second explosion has also struck near a church,
this time targeting a congregation in the central Nigerian city of Jos.
Pam Ayuba, a government spokesman, told reporters the blast struck on Sunday
near the Mountain of Fire Church.
Ayuba said gunshots followed the blast and at least one police officer was
wounded but no other details about the blast and its cause were available.
There was no immediately claim of responsibility for either explosion
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