The governor said that in Minna, the state capital, the spate of bombings in sections of the country had become a national emergency and must be treated as such.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Sunday condemned "in the strongest terms" the attacks targeting churches in Nigeria.

The secretary-general expressed his sympathy and condolences to the people of Nigeria and to the bereaved families who have lost loved ones, said a statement issued by his spokesperson.

"The secretary-general calls once again for an end to all acts of sectarian violence in the country and reiterates his firm conviction that no objective sought can justify this resort to violence," the statement said.

The White House on Sunday condemned the deadly bomb attacks in Nigeria as "senseless" violence and offered condolences to the Nigerian people.

"We condemn this senseless violence and tragic loss of life on Christmas Day. We offer our sincere condolences to the Nigerian people, and especially those who lost family and loved ones," the White House said in a statement.

"We have been in contact with Nigerian officials about what initially appear to be terrorist acts and pledge to assist them in bringing those responsible to justice," the statement said.