Bomb blasts struck two churches in Nigeria on Sunday as worshippers were attending Christmas Day services, stirring memories of strikes against Nigerian churches during last year's Christmas season.

The first explosion struck near a Catholic church in Madala, west of Abuja, Nigeria's capital, the National Emergency Management Agency said.

A second attack struck the Mountain of Fire Ministries church in the city of Jos, northeast of the capital, said journalist Hassan John, who witnessed the aftermath of the two blasts that targeted the church.

The emergency agency did not immediately provide details about the bombings, including the number of dead or wounded.

"Lives have been lost but we do not have the details," said the Rev. Michael Ekpenyong, speaking about the first bombing. "The area has been cordoned off. I tried to call the priest but I couldn't get through."