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Nigeria texts 'fuelled Jos riots' Nigeria texts 'fuelled Jos riots'
(about 2 hours later)
Days of deadly violence between Muslims and Christians in Nigeria last week was fuelled by inflammatory text messages, a religious leader has told the BBC.Days of deadly violence between Muslims and Christians in Nigeria last week was fuelled by inflammatory text messages, a religious leader has told the BBC.
Rev Joseph Hayab said hundreds of texts circulated around the city of Jos - some urging Christians not to buy food from Muslims "because it was poisoned".Rev Joseph Hayab said hundreds of texts circulated around the city of Jos - some urging Christians not to buy food from Muslims "because it was poisoned".
Another told Muslims the state governor had ordered their water supply to be cut in an attempt to kill them.Another told Muslims the state governor had ordered their water supply to be cut in an attempt to kill them.
Police say 326 people died in the riots - other estimates are much higher.Police say 326 people died in the riots - other estimates are much higher.
Muslim officials have told rights groups that 364 Muslims were killed.Muslim officials have told rights groups that 364 Muslims were killed.
Christian leaders have not yet confirmed a death toll - although earlier estimates said around 65 Christians had died.Christian leaders have not yet confirmed a death toll - although earlier estimates said around 65 Christians had died.
More than 300 people have been arrested.More than 300 people have been arrested.
'Dump them in a pit''Dump them in a pit'
Rev Hayab told the BBC's Network Africa programme that messages had been circulating among both Christians and Muslims.Rev Hayab told the BBC's Network Africa programme that messages had been circulating among both Christians and Muslims.
JOS, PLATEAU STATE Deadly riots in 2001 and 2008City divided into Christian and Muslim areas Divisions accentuated by system of classifying people as indigenes and settlers Hausa-speaking Muslims living in Jos for decades are still classified as settlers Settlers find it difficult to stand for electionDivisions also exist along party lines: Christians mostly back the ruling PDP; Muslims generally supporting the opposition ANPP 'Our homes were razed' In pictures: Nigeria riot aftermathJOS, PLATEAU STATE Deadly riots in 2001 and 2008City divided into Christian and Muslim areas Divisions accentuated by system of classifying people as indigenes and settlers Hausa-speaking Muslims living in Jos for decades are still classified as settlers Settlers find it difficult to stand for electionDivisions also exist along party lines: Christians mostly back the ruling PDP; Muslims generally supporting the opposition ANPP 'Our homes were razed' In pictures: Nigeria riot aftermath
"I received hundreds of these text messages - some people wanted to know whether the things they were hearing were true, some were sending them to me to alert me that there was danger," he said."I received hundreds of these text messages - some people wanted to know whether the things they were hearing were true, some were sending them to me to alert me that there was danger," he said.
The AFP news agency quoted rights groups as saying more than 145 different messages had been sent helping to escalate the violence.The AFP news agency quoted rights groups as saying more than 145 different messages had been sent helping to escalate the violence.
The agency quoted one message as saying: "War, war, war. Stand up... and defend yourselves. Kill before they kill you. Slaughter before they slaughter you. Dump them in a pit before they dump you."The agency quoted one message as saying: "War, war, war. Stand up... and defend yourselves. Kill before they kill you. Slaughter before they slaughter you. Dump them in a pit before they dump you."
And messages continued to circulate last weekend warning Christians that Muslims intended to attack churches.And messages continued to circulate last weekend warning Christians that Muslims intended to attack churches.
There were no attacks on churches and religious leaders have urged people to ignore the messages. There were no subsequent attacks on churches and religious leaders have urged people to ignore the messages.
Police are trying to find the source of the messages, AFP reports.Police are trying to find the source of the messages, AFP reports.
Violence erupted in the city early last week, rapidly spreading to nearby villages.Violence erupted in the city early last week, rapidly spreading to nearby villages.
Several thousand people remain displaced, having abandoned their homes to escape the violence.Several thousand people remain displaced, having abandoned their homes to escape the violence.
Jos, the capital of Plateau state, lies between Nigeria's mainly Muslim north and predominantly Christian south and has seen sectarian riots in the recent past.Jos, the capital of Plateau state, lies between Nigeria's mainly Muslim north and predominantly Christian south and has seen sectarian riots in the recent past.
But analysts say the real cause of the violence is a struggle for political superiority in the city.But analysts say the real cause of the violence is a struggle for political superiority in the city.