'Scores killed in Nigeria Church bombing' (1st Update)

Lagos, Nigeria (PANA) - The police in Nigeria's northern Kaduna state said 'scores of worshippers' were killed in Sunday's suicide bombing of a church in the state capital, Kaduna.

Police Commissioner Olufemi Adenaike told journalists in Kaduna that the police have yet to ascertain the exact number of casualties resulting from the suicide bombing of St. Rita's Catholic Church in the city.

''I cannot confirm the number of casualties as most of them have been taken to various health centres in the metropolis for attention,'' Mr. Adenaike said.

According to police account, the lone suicide bomber rammed his explosive-laden Sports Utility Vehicle against the church gates during the early morning mass, causing a massive explosion that tore down a part of the church building

There are reports of reprisal attacks from Christians in the city, which is almost equally divided between Christians and Muslims.

Security agents have been deployed to various parts of the city to curtail the violence

No person or group has claimed responsibility for the attack, but it is similar to past attacks against churches in the predominantly-Muslim northern Nigeria by the violence Islamic sect Boko Haram.
-0- PANA SEG 28Oct2012