The president of Nigeria said "the church is one of the main targets" of terrorist attacks by the radical Islamic group Boko Haram.

"If the idea of Boko Haram is to stop Nigerians from worshipping God, they will not succeed," President Goodluck Jonathan told parishioners at a church in Nigeria's capital Sunday.

Gunmen suspected of belonging to the group have attacked a Nigerian village in the last week. They rounded up men, women, and children and killed at least 15.

The Christian Association of Nigerian-Americans has been urging the United States to label Boko Haram a foreign terrorist organization, a move that could hurt its funding and support.

However, while U.S. State Department is considering the request, so far, the department hasn't decided if labeling the group that way is the most effective way to deal with them.

The State Department said they have designated some Boko Haram leaders as terrorists last year.

Boko Haram is blamed for killing nearly 800 people in 2012 alone, according to the Associated Press.