Explosions rock churches in Nigeria (1st Update)

Lagos, Nigeria (PANA) - Churches in two cities in Nigeria's northern Kaduna state were rocked by explosions during service on Sunday, the police have confirmed.

The first two explosions occurred at churches in Wusasa and Sabon Gari areas of Zaria, while the third one went off at a church in the state capital, Kaduna, located some 60 kilometres away, according to state police spokesman Aminu Lawal.

Lawal said rescue efforts were underway, and that security agents have cordoned off the affected  areas. He has yet to give casualty figures.

The explosions are the latest of such attacks that now seem to occur every Sunday.

Last Sunday, many people died when two churches were attacked, one in the central city of Jos by a suicide bomber and another in the northern town of Biu by four gunmen.

The Islamic sect Boko Haram later claimed responsibility for the attacks.
-0- PANA SEG 17June2012