Some 2,000 mourners crowded a Nigerian church still marked by blood stains Wednesday for a funeral service for victims of a Christmas day attack claimed by Islamists that killed dozens.
Ten coffins were on display inside St. Theresa Catholic Church in Madalla outside the capital Abuja during the service, which saw cries of anger as well as prayers for those who committed the "diabolic" bombing.
In a sign of sectarian tensions that the Christmas bombing and other attacks have sparked, mourners at the church reacted with a chorus of "no, no, no" following a suggestion that a local Muslim leader be allowed to speak.
Islamist group Boko Haram claimed responsibility for a wave of Christmas Day attacks, the deadliest of them at St. Theresa, where at least 44 people died.
The violence sparked fears of reprisals in a country roughly divided between a mainly Muslim north and predominately Christian south, though Boko Haram's victims have included many Muslims.
Some at the church wept as pallbearers passed carrying the coffins, including that of a church guard draped in Nigeria's green and white national flag. Dried blood remained visible on an outside wall.
"Beyond forgiveness, let us pray for the conversion of those who have allowed themselves to be used by the devil to perpetrate such a diabolic act targetting and killing innocent men, women and children," said Abuja Archbishop John Onaiyekan.
Many of those killed by the bomb that ripped through a crowd exiting mass had already been buried by their families. Wednesday's service was designated for the 26 victims who were
parishioners of the church.
There were conflicting accounts of what happened in the attack. Local police said the blast occured as an explosive-packed mini-bus was trying to approach the church.
"If that vehicle that brought the bomb had been allowed to come in, it could have been worse," said the Bishop of Minna diocese, Martin Uzoukwu.
A total of 17 people were buried on Wednesday at a nearby gravesite, including those left unrecognisable by the force of the attack.
Boko Haram's increasingly daring insurgency has shaken Africa's most populous nation and top oil producer and security forces have struggled to stem the violence.
"We pray that those in charge of our security and safety will have the wisdom to know how best to tackle the problem on our hands and the courage to do what needs to be done," Onaiyekan said.
The group struck again on January 20 killing at least 185 in Nigeria's second city of Kano, its deadliest ever assault, which mainly targetted the police.
Boko Haram's violence has claimed more than 900 lives since July 2009, according to Human Rights Watch.
The group's victims include many Muslims, but some argue that entrenched religious tensions within Nigeria are fuelling the current unrest.
After the bombing in Madalla, a prominent Christian group said followers should be ready to defend themselves against future Islamist violence.
Nigeria's government has faced intense criticism for its response to Boko Haram, and in a media interview last week President Goodluck Jonathan urged the group to clearly state its demands as a basis for dialogue.
A spokesman for the group later shot down that proposal, calling the president's overture not sincere.
Jonathan did not attend Wednesday's ceremony, sending a chaplain from the presidency in his place.
Boko Haram has said it wants to create an Islamic state across Nigeria's deeply impoverished north but its specific demands have remained largely unclear.
Nigeria says the group has fostered closer ties with like-minded extremist groups and has received training from Al-Qaeda's north Africa affiliate.
Some analysts however doubt the existence of significant ties with foreign groups, arguing Boko Haram is pursuing a domestic agenda.