UN, US condemn Christmas bomb attacks in Nigeria

Regional (NEMA) spokesperson Ibrahim Farinloye told Xinhua that three men suspected of being members of the Boko Haram sect died when trying to attack a top military officer in the restive city of Damataru, capital of the state.

The suspected bombers driving a car sped up at the gate of the Joint Task Force (JTF) headquarters there when the device exploded, reportedly killing four security officials.

The Boko Haram Islamist sect, which aims to impose sharia law across the country, claimed responsibility for the three bomb attacks targeting churches.

The latest wave of terror came just two days after the Nigerian military said more than 61 people were killed in the past days in a clash between the Nigerian army and Boko Haram in the West African country's northeastern region.

The military said it had destroyed a major stronghold of the Boko Haram sect in Damataru, killing about 50 of its members after a fierce battle.

Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, the chief of army staff, said the army had earlier been informed that the sect planned to cause mayhem during this period.

Nigeria's central north Niger State Governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu on Sunday called on President Goodluck Jonathan to convene a national security summit to address the spate of bombings in the country.