A suicide bomb attack on a cathedral in Nigeria has left a woman and child dead.

The suicide bomber is also reported to have died in the attack on St John's Catholic Cathedral in Bauchi Town, northern Nigeria.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide reports that the bomber detonated his explosives at the church gate after being refused entry into the grounds at around 9am local time on Sunday.

The attack comes a week after four gunmen opened fire on a community building in Bauchi, killing at least nine people.

There are concerns that the state government is not doing enough to protect Christians from attacks.

The Anglican Bishop of Bauchi, the Rt Rev Musa Tula, told CSW: "Unfortunately, this is an ongoing situation in Bauchi State. Christians are attacked on a weekly basis.

"We need prayers because real protection can only come from God. We urgently need prayers from our brethren around the world for the peace of Bauchi State."

CSW’s Chief Executive Mervyn Thomas condemned the "appalling acts of violence".

"It is regrettable that Christian communities in Bauchi remain extremely vulnerable and are in urgent need of effective protection," he said.

"We urge the state government to implement comprehensive, long-term security arrangements to guarantee the safety of innocent civilians and halt these attacks, which are now occurring with alarming regularity.”