10 die in Nigeria church blast - police (1st update)

Bauchi, Nigeria (PANA) - At least 10 persons died and many more were injured on Sunday when a suspected suicide bomber rammed his explosive-laden car into a church during service in Yelwa, in Nigeria's northern Bauchi state, the police said.

State Police Commissioner Mohammed Ladan gave the figure, amid indications that the number could rise considering the scale of injuries suffered by many parishioners.

''The explosion occurred early on Sunday, and so far we have report of 10 dead,'' the police boss said, without giving further details. ''Rescue operations are ongoing.''

The affected church was identified as the Winners' Chapel Living Faith.

It was the latest in a series of attacks which have targetted churches in the predominantly-Muslim northern Nigeria.

In the worst of such attacks, 44 people were killed when suicide bombers attacked a Catholic Church in Madalla, on the outskirts of Nigeria's capital city of Abuja, last Christmas Day.

No group has yet claimed responsibility for the latest attack, which is similar to previous ones claimed by the Islamic sect Boko Haram.
-0- PANA SSA/SEG 3June2012