At least 15 people are dead after a suicide car bomber struck near a northern Nigerian church Sunday, also leaving more more than 30 people injured.

Security officers in the city of Bauchi had stopped the car from getting closer to the building. But the car blast sent the walls of Living Faith Church crashing down on worshippers inside.

Boko Haram claimed responsibility for the attack Monday.

“We thank God for giving us victory. We successfully carried out a suicide bombing on a church at Yelwa in Bauchi state,” an emailed statement from Boko Haram spokesman Abu Qaqa said.

Nigeria's Christians have faced increased attacks from the Islamist sect in recent months.  Dozens of churchgoers were murdered when a terrorist bomber struck this past Easter.