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'200 dead' in Nigeria clashes | |
(about 15 hours later) | |
At least 200 people have been killed in violence between Christians and Muslims in the Nigerian city of Jos, says the monitoring group, Human Rights Watch. | |
Troops ordered by Nigeria's vice-president to help police restore order have arrived and are patrolling the streets, enforcing a 24-hour curfew. | |
The fighting, which broke out on Sunday, has prompted thousands of people to flee the city. | |
Houses, mosques and churches have been burnt down and many people arrested. | |
It is believed to be the first time Goodluck Jonathan has used executive powers since President Umaru Yar'Adua left Nigeria for hospital treatment in Saudi Arabia in November. | It is believed to be the first time Goodluck Jonathan has used executive powers since President Umaru Yar'Adua left Nigeria for hospital treatment in Saudi Arabia in November. |
Lt Col Shekari Galadima, a spokesman for the 3rd Division of the Nigerian Army, told the BBC's Network Africa programme the streets were calm and the troops in control of the situation. | |
The area has seen several bouts of deadly violence in recent years. | |
At least 200 people were killed in an outbreak of fighting between Muslims and Christians in 2008, while some 1,000 died in a riot in 2001. | At least 200 people were killed in an outbreak of fighting between Muslims and Christians in 2008, while some 1,000 died in a riot in 2001. |
Violence spreading | Violence spreading |
The current violence has forced at least 3,000 people from their homes. | The current violence has forced at least 3,000 people from their homes. |
On Tuesday the violence spread beyond the city boundaries to neighbouring areas. | |
ANALYSIS Shehu Saulawa, BBC Hausa | ANALYSIS Shehu Saulawa, BBC Hausa |
Jos has long been a time-bomb waiting to explode. | Jos has long been a time-bomb waiting to explode. |
The town is split into Christian and Muslim areas. The divisions have been perpetuated by Nigeria's system of classifying people as indigenes and settlers. | The town is split into Christian and Muslim areas. The divisions have been perpetuated by Nigeria's system of classifying people as indigenes and settlers. |
Hausa-speaking Muslims have been living in Jos for many decades but are still classified as settlers, meaning it is difficult for them to stand for election. | Hausa-speaking Muslims have been living in Jos for many decades but are still classified as settlers, meaning it is difficult for them to stand for election. |
The two groups are also divided along party political lines with Christians mostly backing the ruling PDP, and Muslims generally supporting the opposition ANPP. | The two groups are also divided along party political lines with Christians mostly backing the ruling PDP, and Muslims generally supporting the opposition ANPP. |
In Nigeria, political office means access to resources. | In Nigeria, political office means access to resources. |
The death toll has not been verified independently and it is not known how many Christians have died. | |
Human Rights Watch say at least 200 have died in the latest outbreak of violence. | |
Balarabe Dawud, head of the Central Mosque in Jos, told AFP news agency he had counted 192 bodies since Sunday. | Balarabe Dawud, head of the Central Mosque in Jos, told AFP news agency he had counted 192 bodies since Sunday. |
Muhammad Tanko Shittu, a mosque worker who was helping to prepare mass burials, told Reuters he had counted 149 bodies. | Muhammad Tanko Shittu, a mosque worker who was helping to prepare mass burials, told Reuters he had counted 149 bodies. |
Jos is in Nigeria's volatile Middle Belt - between the mainly Muslim north and the south where the majority is Christian or follow traditional religions. | Jos is in Nigeria's volatile Middle Belt - between the mainly Muslim north and the south where the majority is Christian or follow traditional religions. |
Correspondents say such clashes in Nigeria are often blamed on sectarianism. | Correspondents say such clashes in Nigeria are often blamed on sectarianism. |
However, poverty and access to resources such as land often lie at the root of the violence. | However, poverty and access to resources such as land often lie at the root of the violence. |
It is unclear what the trigger was for the latest bout of violence. | It is unclear what the trigger was for the latest bout of violence. |
Plateau State spokesman Dan Manjang told Network Africa there were reports that it may have started after a football match. | |
But he said it would be surprising if football was the reason. | But he said it would be surprising if football was the reason. |
Reuters quoted residents as saying the violence started after an argument over the rebuilding of homes destroyed in the 2008 clashes. | Reuters quoted residents as saying the violence started after an argument over the rebuilding of homes destroyed in the 2008 clashes. |