A car bombing near a church in the northern Nigerian city of Kaduna on Easter Sunday killed at least 40 people, while another blast later in a separate city caused a number of injuries.
The deadly explosion in Kaduna, an important cultural and economic centre in Nigeria's north, was a stark reminder of Christmas Day attacks that left dozens of people dead in Africa's most populous nation and largest oil producer.
Motorcycle taxi drivers and residents who had stopped at a stall in the area to buy tea appeared to have borne the brunt of the blast, and body parts littered the area.
As news of the attack early Sunday spread, security forces boosted patrols in key areas, including in the capital Abuja, where soldiers were sent to reinforce police posted near churches.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility.
At least one car said to be driven by a suicide bomber was believed to be involved. A rescue official speaking on condition of anonymity said two vehicles packed with explosives detonated.
"Now we have 40 dead from the twin explosions," the rescue official, who was not authorised to speak publicly, told. "Bombs concealed in two cars went off just opposite this church."
A police officer at the scene said a man believed to be a suicide bomber driving a car had been stopped at a checkpoint near the Evangelical Church of West Africa, and had turned back.
He then drove to a nearby area in front of a hotel, close to the Assemblies of God church, and detonated the bomb. The church did not appear to have significant damage, but a third church nearby reported having windows broken.
Services were ongoing at the churches at the time of the blast, but worshippers did not appear to have been affected. Other cars in the area were damaged, but it was unclear if they were also carrying explosives, police at the scene said.
A spokesman for the national emergency management agency said most of the victims appeared to be motorcycle taxi drivers. One resident said the explosion was strong enough to shake his house and cause his ceiling to cave in.
