There is a big similarity between the Islamist militant attacks in Nigeria and Kenya. The two groups Boko Haram and Alshabaab are increasingly targeting innocent civilians and particularly social gathering.

In the latest attack, more than 200 suspected Alshabaab Islamists attacked a coastal Kenyan town killing over 48 people and wounding dozens overnight. This attack is quite similar to the attacks the Boko Haram have conducted in Northern Nigeria, killing hundreds and abducting schools girls.

The attackers in  Mpeketoni, along  the Kenyan coast line, targeted hotels where people were watching the latest world cup matches, rounded up the men and forced the women to watch them being shot in the head.

This  is not the first time soccer watching centers have been targeted. During the 2010 World cup, over 75 people were killed by bombs planted by suspected Alshabaab sympathizers in viewing centers in Uganda’s capital Kampala.

Recently, the government of Adamawa state in Nigeria said it had been warned by the local military that the so-called  world cup “viewing centres” — where large crowds congregate to watch matches on big screens — were possible targets.

“Based on this advice, we have directed all soccer viewing centers across the state to close down indefinitely,” Ahmed Sajo, spokesman for the state governor, told Vanguard.

The centers have been targeted before in Nigeria, where football has a fanatical following and the national team — the “Super Eagles” — are playing in the showpiece tournament in Brazil. Earlier this month, at least 40 people were killed when a bomb went off after a football match in the town of Mubi in Adamawa.

Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau has previously preached against football as part of the Islamist group’s agenda to impose strict Islamic law in northern Nigeria. He describes football and music as a Western ploy to distract Muslims from their religion.

The same description have been given by Alshabaab in Somali.

A ban on ‘Soccer watching centers’ could however be ignored in remote areas where they have no other means of recreation and power cuts make watching matches at home difficult.

“We know this measure will adversely affect football lovers who will be deprived the opportunity to watch the World Cup tournament, which starts in two days,” Sajo said.

“Despite these adverse effects as a result of the ban we believe it a decision worth taking because security of life and property is very important.”