Attackers kill 12 in Nigeria church assaults: At least 12 people died in in northern Nigeria when attackers raid... http://bit.ly/10figak
CNN
1:33 PM - 25 Dec 12 · Details
Attackers kill 12 in Nigeria church assaults
By CNN Staff
updated 12:29 PM EST, Tue December 25, 2012
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- NEW: One attack was in Yobe state, the other in Borno state
- A militant Islamist group has been assaulting Christians
- There was a wave of attacks last year on Christmas
(CNN) -- At least 12 people died in in northern Nigeria when attackers raided two churches during Christmas Eve services, police said.
One assault occurred at the Church of Christ in Nations in Postikum, in Yobe province. Gunmen attacked worshipers during prayer, killing six people, including the pastor, and setting the building on fire
Worshipers also were attacked at the First Baptist Church in Maiduguri, in Borno state. A deacon and five church members were killed.
They were the latest strikes against Christians in the region. More than 30 people died in a wave of Christmas Day attacks in the north last year, blamed on Boko Haram, a militant group that has targeted Christians and Muslims it considered insufficiently Islamist.
"Suspected members of the group have bombed or opened fire on worshipers in at least 18 churches across eight northern and central states since 2010. In Maiduguri, the group also forced Christian men to convert to Islam on penalty of death," Human Rights Watch said in an October report.
