Boko Haram militants have attacked two churches during Sunday services, killing 7 people, triggering fears of deadly reprisal attacks.

In the central city of Jos, a suicide bomber blew himself up outside a church, wounding at least 50 people. In a separate attack, gunmen opened fire during a service in Biu in the north eastern Borneo state, leaving at least one person dead. Six people were then killed in Jos in reprisals when angry demonstrators took to the streets in protest.

After the attacks a spokesman for the Commissioner for Information urged restraint and warned against reprisal attacks.

COMMISSIONER FOR INFORMATION ABRAHAM YILJAP, SAYING:

"Please don't take the laws into your hands but we need to work together with security services to guarantee security for all after the attacks'

Boka Haram has admitted responsibility for the attacks. Targeting churches has become a trademark tactic of Boko Haram, which says it is fighting to reinstate an ancient Islamic caliphate in northern Nigeria. Recently the group has linked up with other Islamist groups in the region including al Qaeda's North African wing and has become the biggest security threat in Nigeria, Africa's top oil producer and member of OPEC.

Written and Presented by Ann Salter