A car bombing near a church in northern Nigeria as services were being held on Easter Sunday (yesterday) killed at least 20 people, wounded 30 others and put the country on alert over fears of further attacks.

The explosion, a stark reminder of the Christmas Day attacks that left dozens of people dead in Africa’s most populous nation and largest oil producer, hit the city of Kaduna, a major cultural and economic centre in the north.

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 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.

Later yesterday details were still emerging of the blast, but 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 20 dead from the twin explosions,” the rescue official, who was not authorised to speak publicly, said. “Bombs concealed in two cars went off just opposite this church.”

Police later confirmed the death toll of 20 and said 30 others were wounded.

A police officer at the scene said a man believed to be a suicide bomber driving a car was stopped at a checkpoint near the Evangelical Church of West Africa, and 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 any significant damage.

Services were ongoing at both churches at the time of the blast, but worshippers did not appear to be affected. Other cars in the area were damaged, but it was unclear if they were also carrying explosives.

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.

Islamist group Boko Haram carried out a series of attacks on churches and other locations on Christmas day, the bloodiest at a church outside Abuja, where 44 people died.