( CNN ) -- At least 12 people died 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 . Pope Benedict XVI referred to the northern Nigerian violence in his traditional Christmas message from Vatican City on Tuesday . `` Savage acts of terrorism '' in the region , he said , `` continue to reap victims , particularly among Christians . '' In October , a report from Human Rights Watch also addressed violence in northern Nigeria , particularly from Boko Haram . `` 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 , '' it said . It is not immediately known whether the group was behind the latest attacks . The Christmas attacks came as families whose kin died in last year 's killings delivered graveside prayers for a peaceful holiday period . Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan issued a statement promising better days next year , including better security . `` Sometimes , challenges make people doubt the sincerity of government , but I am confident that God knows everything , '' he said Sunday . But residents told CNN that despite assurances of security , they have been attacked again . Journalist Hassan John contributed to this report .
NEW : Pope Benedict XVI addresses violence in the region . More than 30 attack was in Borno , the other in Borno state . A militant Islamist group has been targeting Muslims and some Christians . There was a wave of attacks Christmas on Christmas .