LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - The notorious Islamist sect Boko Haram has claimed responsibility for both attacks. According to government spokespersons, a bomb exploded near the evangelical church in Jos, located on the dividing line between the nation's Muslim north and Christian south.

Al Jazeera correspondent Yvonne Ndgee reported that the "suicide bomber attempted to drive into the Christ Chosen Church in the Jos metropolis.

"The chief of police has spoken to the local press there [in Jos], and he says that three persons have been killed in this attack. One of them, the suicide bomber, and two others died in unclear circumstances."

Two others people have reportedly died after chaos and violence broke out following the blast.

"Police have announced that 48 people have been taken to various hospitals in the Jos metropolis with varying degrees of injuries," Ndege said.

In the meanwhile, in the city of Biu in northeast Nigeria's Borno state, gunmen opened fire during a service at an EYN church, an acronym that means "Church of the Brethren in Nigeria."
 
Gunmen sprayed the congregation with bullets, killing and wounding many of them, witnesses said.

"Three gunmen came to the premises of the church and started firing at people outside the church before going into the main building to carry on their killings ... Many people have been killed and wounded," witness Hamidu Wakawa, present at the church at the time of the attack says.

Borno State Police Commissioner Bala Hassan confirmed the attack took place and said officers were investigating.

A purported spokesman for Boko Haram, the militant Islamic group claimed responsibility for both attacks.

"We are responsible for the suicide attack on a church in Jos and also another attack on another church in Biu," spokesman Abul Qaqa said.

"We launched these attacks to prove the Nigerian security wrong and to debunk their claim that we have been weakened by the military crackdown."

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