The extremist Boko Haram sect is suspected to be behind the blast
UPDATE 1: We have just learnt that a third explosion has just gone off at Shalom Chuch, in the Tirkaniyaa area by Goni Gora neighbourhood of Kaduna. Casualty unkown
UPDATE 2: A church member at ECWA church said the attack there was carried out by a suicide bomber who forced himself into the vicinity of the church after the security guards at the gate tried to stop him. However, he detonated the bomb in front of the entrance.
NEMA's spokseperson, Yushau Shuiabu said, "While rescue workers are busy attending to victims of explosions in Wusasa and Sabon Gari areas of Zaria, another explosion just occured in Bypass axis in Kaduna town
UPDATE 4: Riots break out in Kaduna in reaction to the bombings. Angry youth are protesting and are gradually becoming violent.
UPDATE 5: Uneasy atmosphere envelops Kaduna.....Kaduna Governor Declares 24-Hour Curfew As Irate Christian Youth Go On Rampage Following Church Bombings, Sources say the youths burnt a mosque at Television area and another at Goningora was broken into and vandalised in retaliation for the attacks on the three churches.
UPDATE 6: Kaduna blast confirmed death toll now 34, ...156 wounded
UPDATE 7: From the blast at the Christ the King Cathedral at No. 80 Yoruba street, 10 people have been confirmed dead and over 50 injured.
Also, Dr. Lawal Khalid, the Chief Medical Director of ABU Teaching Hospital has confirmed that the hospital received nine victims dead on arrival and is treating 31 others. One of the wounded died while receiving treatment, bringing the death toll at ABUTH to 10. These are also from the blasts at Wusasa and Zaria, he said. He also said those receiving treatment at the hospital are all in stable condition
UPDATE 8: The Kaduna trouble spots so far identified are Sabon Tasha, Trikania, Television area, Tudun Wada and Unguwan Romi.Road blocks have been set up at strategic areas and traffic along the expressway which was initially halted has resumed but with military escorts.. Other areas of Kaduna metropolis are experiencing an uneasy calm.
Two explosions have been reported at the Wusasa and Sabon Gari areas of Zaria, Kaduna State.
Reports reaching us say an explosion occured near a catholic church in the Wusasa neighbourhood of the city.
Witnesses say security agencies have already cordoned off the area and traffic is being diverted.
Other sources also report hearing another loud bang around the Sabon Gari area of the town close to an Evangelical Church of West Africa.
Another source later said the ECWA church was the target of the attack and that the church building was seriously damaged.
The two explosions, we are told, were followed by sporadic shootings.
Spokesperson of the Kaduna State command of the Nigerian Police Force, Aminu Lawan, confirmed the two explosions.
"Our men have been dispatched to the area, we will give you updates as soon as we confirm anything, right now investigations have commenced," he said.
We are unable to confirm casualty figures at this time as rescue agencies say they are still working to comprehend the situation. But there are fears the casualty rate would be high since it happened while Sunday service were on.
The National Emergency Management Agency has confirmed the explosions.
"Rescue and security officers have moved to the scene," NEMA spokesperson, Yushau Shuaib, said in a statement.
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