Nigerian Christians worried by security

The Christian community in Nigeria is losing confidence in the government's ability to provide security for the religious group, a pastor said. Islamist sect Boko Haram was involved in clashes with Nigerian security forces in Damaturu last week. Bombs went off Sunday in Damaturu and near Abuja. Boko Haram claimed responsibility for the attacks. Critics said Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, a Christian, wasn't taking the security threat seriously. Ayo Oritsejafor, a Pentecostal pastor with the Christian Association of Nigeria, said the Christian community has lost confidence in Jonathan's government. "The consensus is that the Christian community nationwide would be left with no other option than to respond appropriately if there are any further attacks on our members, churches and properties," he was quoted by CNN International as saying. Nigeria is divided between the Christian south and the Muslim north. Boko Haram has said it wanted to set up an Islamic state in the north of the country. "It is on record that most religious, traditional and political leaders in the north have not come out openly to condemn the extremist activities of Boko Haram," the group was quoted as saying. Jonathan said he sent government forces to the north to address the security threat from Boko Haram, telling Christian leaders there the effort was past due.