DEVELOPING STORY: Many casualties feared from Nigeria church bombing

Lagos, Nigeria (PANA) - Many people were feared killed or injured on Sunday when a suicide bomber rammed his car into the gates of St. Rita's Catholic Church in Nigeria's northern Kaduna during the morning mass, triggering a massive blast, the local media reported.

The lone bomber reportedly detonated the explosives in his car after he was refused entry into the church premises by security men.

No one or group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack, though many are pointing accusing fingers at the violent Islamic sect Boko Haram which has carried out similar bombings in the past.

Security agents are said to have cordoned off the area, in the Ungwa Yero area of the city, while seeking to pacify Christian residents to avoid possible reprisals.

The eponymous capital of Kaduna State is a religious flash point among its residents, who are almost equally divided between Christians and Muslims.

Similar church bombings in the past have triggered deadly reprisals from Christians
-0- PANA SEG 28Oct2012