by Olorunwa Lawal

Terrorists in Nigeria have taken the lives of 34 people since Christmas, including 27 Christians attending church services.

On Christmas Eve, attackers raided two churches, killing 12 people and setting one of the churches alight. Six days later, suspected Boko Haram fighters killed at least 15 Christian worshipers, slitting some of their throats.

The name Boko Haram means “Western education is sacrilege.”

In the past, they have attacked other Muslims who they felt were on an immoral path but have increasingly killed Christians.

On Tuesday, the country’s military took the fight to Boko Haram’s stronghold, killing 13 suspected combatants.

Joint Task Force Operation Restore Order lost one soldier during the afternoon gunfight in Maiduguri, said spokesman Sagir Musa.

The task force condemned alleged Boko Haram attacks going back to July 2012 in a statement, calling them “incessant callous, brutal, barbaric and impious killings.” These included attacks on mosques, churches and businesses.

Human Rights Watch said the militant group has killed more than 2,800 people in all.