500 Nigerians Killed in Sectarian Violence in Jos

Troops deployed as 500 dead in Nigerian violence

LAGOS, March 8, 2010 (Xinhua) --

Troops had been seen in Nigeria's northern city of Jos after at least 500 were killed in a communal violence in the western African country, local residents witnessed on Monday.

A resident in Plateau State, where the tragedy happened, said he had seen armored vehicles and military trucks arrive in the village along with patrolling troops.

The latest military move came after a Nigerian government official confirmed on Monday that at least 500 had been killed in a communal clash in Jos, which followed the crisis on Jan. 17 in the same region when some youths attacked worshippers at St. Michael's Anglican Church in Nasawara Gwom.

Police spokesman in Plateau State Muhammed Lerama has confirmed the latest incident and said the acting Commissioner of Police in the state, Ikechukwu Aduba, would address the press on the crisis on Monday.

Meanwhile, the country's newly appointed Acting President Goodluck Jonathan on Sunday said all the security services in northern Plateau State and neighboring states should be on red alert so as to stem any cross border dimensions to this latest conflict.

Police arrest 93, recover weapons in Nigeria violence

LAGOS, March 8, 2010 (Xinhua) --

The police have arrested 93 suspects following the Sunday violence killing in Jos, the capital of northern Nigeria's Plateau State, according to an official.

Mohamed Lerama, state police spokesman, said in a statement reaching here that several weapons have been recovered after Sunday's violence, where at least 500 were killed in a communal violence.

"The Police arrested 93 person and they are in two categories," the statement said.

"The police arrested 19 Fulani's with sophisticated weapons in Anjuri village in Jos east Local Government Area," it added.

According to the statement, the 19 Fulanis' said they were on a revenge mission with the weapons.

"We also arrested 74 people from Mangu area of the state, with different weapons," the police said.

Weapons recovered includes, four double barrel guns, two locally made double barrel, five AK 47, 5 mm ammunition, 34 live cartridge and many local made charms, the statement said.

According to the statement, troops had been seen in Nigeria's northern city of Jos after the communal violence.

Nigerian acting president orders troops to be on red alert in Jos

LAGOS, March 7, 2010 (Xinhua) --

Nigerian Acting President Goodluck Jonathan on Sunday said all the security services in northern Plateau State and neighboring states should be on red alert so as to stem any cross border dimensions to this latest conflict.

Over 200 people were killed and others seriously injured on Sunday in a fresh riot which erupted in Jos.

"The country arose this morning to news of renewed crisis in Plateau State and reports reaching us indicate that marauding bands launched a flurry of attacks on certain communities in the state, causing considerable death and injury," Ima Niboro, spokesman to the Acting President said in a statement reaching here.

"While it is too early to state categorically what is responsible for this renewed wave of violence, we want to inform Nigerians that the security services are on top of the situation," the statement said.

"This afternoon, the Inspector General of Police, Ogbonnaya Onovo, briefed the Acting President, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, on the situation in Plateau," it added.

"Jonathan is also billed to meet with the leadership of the country's security services on urgent strategies to rein in the violence," the statement said.

"In the meantime, the Acting President has placed all the security services in Plateau and neighboring states on red alert so as to stem any cross border dimensions to this latest conflict, " it added.

"He has also directed that the security services undertake strategic initiatives to confront and defeat these roving bands of killers," the statement said.

"He calls on all Nigerians to remain peaceful and law abiding, since violence only begets further violence. He also sympathizes with those who have lost relatives and friends in these attacks, asking the Almighty to grant them the fortitude to bear the loss," it added.

The development came after more than 300 people died during the crisis that erupted on Jan. 17 in the northern city of Jos in Plateau State, when some youths attacked worshippers at St. Michael's Anglican Church in Nasawara Gwom.

Editor: yan

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