Bombs killed at least 40 at Catholic churches during Christmas Day mass as series of explosions rock Nigeria - 26th Dec 2011

Terror attacks targeted at Christians, including two bombs at church services, have killed at least 40 across Nigeria.

A radical Muslim sect claimed responsibility for five attacks which struck the nation's north-east today.

Most of the victims died on the steps of a Roman Catholic church after celebrating Christmas Mass.

The Christmas Day attacks show the growing national ambition of the sect known as Boko Haram, which is thought to be responsible for 504 killings this year alone.

The sect, which aims to impose sharia law across the country, claimed responsibility for the three church bombs, the second Christmas in a row the group has caused mass carnage with deadly bombings of churches.

The first explosion struck St. Theresa Catholic Church in Madalla, a town in Niger state close to the capital, Abuja, killing at least 35 and wounding 52.

The church was packed when the bomb exploded just outside.

‘We were in the church with my family when we heard the explosion. I just ran out,’ Timothy Onyekwere said.

‘Now I don't even know where my children or my wife are. I don't know how many were killed but there were many dead.’ Read More