A car laden with explosives detonated outside of a Catholic church today in a restive city in central Nigeria, killing at least three people and injuring others, a rescue official said.

Terror attacks across Nigeria by a radical Muslim sect killed at least 39 people – the majority dying on the steps of a church after celebrating Christmas Mass as blood pooled in dust from a massive explosion.

One person was killed and 11 others were wounded after bombs rocked three football viewing centres in the central city of Jos in Nigeria.

At least two bombs detonated near beer halls in a rough neighbourhood of a central Nigerian city beset by religious and ethnic violence, causing unknown injuries, witnesses said.