Bombers attack centre in Christian area of Jos in Nigeria

Compass Direct News (CDN) is reporting that one person was killed and nine others were injured on Tuesday after suspected Islamic extremists attacked a TV viewing centre in a Christian area of Jos where a crowd had gathered to watch a soccer game.

CDN says that at about 10:15pm at the centre, one of many such establishments popular in Nigeria for watching soccer matches, attackers drove past the site and threw an explosive device at hundreds of Christians watching the match, eyewitnesses told Compass.

Medical personnel at nearby Janvak Hospital were treating the injured under strict supervision of police and other security agents.

"The bombing marks the second time in two weeks that the Christian area has been attacked. During Easter celebrations, Islamic extremists were also suspected of detonating a bomb a few meters from the center that injured five Christians," said the CDN story.

"Various churches in the Tudun Wada area of Jos commonly use the site as a base for evangelistic campaigns aimed at social venues in the area. Christian and Muslim communities live in close but separate quarters of the Tudun Wada area of Jos, and the attacks have heightened tensions between them. The area comprises eight churches."

Note from CDN: Plateau state, in central Nigeria, has been especially volatile recently as it lies between the country's predominantly Muslim north and Christian south. Nigeria's population of more than 158.2 million is divided between Christians, who make up 51.3 percent of the population, and Muslims, who account for 45 percent. The percentages may be less, however, as those practicing indigenous religions may be as high as 10 percent of the total population, according to Operation World.