An Islamist sect is responsible for Christmas Eve blasts in Nigeria's troubled city of Jos, according to a statement posted on its website on Tuesday. More than 80 people have died since the explosions hit the capital of the West African country's central north Plateau State on Dec. 24. The statement is apparently linked to Islamic fundamentalists, popularly called 'Boko Haram'. It said the attacks were launched 'to avenge the atrocities against Muslims' in the country. The sect's leader Sheikh Mohammed Yusuf was killed by Nigerian military forces in July 2009 after he stirred up a four-day riot in northeast states. The bomb blasts which hit Anguwan Rukuba, the Kabong Satllite Market and the flyover at Gada Biyu, came one week after a Nigerian court sentenced 15 persons to 10 years each in prison for involvement of the violent crisis in Jos in March. Hundreds of people have been killed this year in waves of sectarian violence between Muslims and Christians in Jos. On Sunday, state police commissioner Abdelrahman Akano said local security agencies had taken measures to curb future attacks, including the drafting of military personnel to worship centers. 