Boko Haram's new pattern of attacks.

After the recent spate of fatal bombings, many have asked what the Nigerian authorities and ordinary people make of Boko Haram's strategy to attack Christians on Christian holidays.

Although the extremist group has been involved in various deadly attacks on what they deem to be unfit for the terror group's beliefs, last year's Christmas-day bombing, which killed over 46 people, and the recent Easter holiday attacks that left over 40 people dead marked a turning point in their modus operandi.

The Easter-Day attack on two churches in northern Nigeria on Sunday morning shook the city of Kaduna. And according to eyewitness reports, the blast left burnt motorcycles and debris strewn across a major road in the city. A group of motorcycle taxi-men were engulfed in flames, nearby hotels and homes had their windows blown out and roofs torn away by the force of the explosion.

The All Nations Christian Assembly Church and the ECWA Good News Church were as congregations worshipped at an Easter service. "We were in the Holy Communion service and I was exhorting my people and all of a sudden, we heard a loud noise that shattered all our windows and doors, destroyed our fans and some of our equipment in the church," Pastor Joshua Raji told local reporters.

A spokesman for the Kaduna state Emergency Management Agency, Abubakar Zakari Adamu said over 38 people were killed in the blast. He said a number of people also suffered serious injuries and were rushed to local hospitals for treatment.

The recent bombings come as Boko Haram increasingly targets churches on holy days in the West African country. The high-casualty Easter-day killings followed a Christmas day suicide bombing of a Catholic church near the capital Abuja that killed at least 44 people.



More than 380 people have been killed in violence blamed on Boko Haram this year alone

The events beg the question of whether another attack should be expected in what many see as the development of a pattern in Boko Haram's suicide attacks.

And with the celebration of the day of Pentecost May 27 beckoning, analysts fear that these systematic attacks on Christian institutions could further inflame tensions.

More than 380 people have been killed in violence blamed on Boko Haram this year alone, according to an Associated Press count.

The radical Islamist sect has attacked Christians and Muslims, as well as government security establishments. Last year, it also attacked the United Nations' headquarters in Nigeria using suicide bombers and assault-rifle shootouts.

Whilst Boko Haram continues to reject calls for peace talks with the government, there is no indication the authorities are ready to meet their demands. The group is calling for the establishment of strict Shariah law across the country, even in Christian areas, and the release of all imprisoned followers.

Meanwhile, analysts have warned that bowing down to the demands of the extremist group would see the erosion of Nigeria's reputation as a bellwether of African multi-culturalism. (The African Report)