Christian group in Nigeria counts its dead after religious violence consumed Jos, villages

Nigerian Christians count dead after Jos violence

JOS, Nigeria — A Christian group says 20 of its members died and another 56 remain missing after religious and political violence that consumed central Nigeria last month.

A reverend with the Church of Christ in Nigeria said Monday that 67 other members were injured and nearly 1,300 buildings were destroyed during the violence in Jos.

The reverend blamed Muslims for fighting that engulfed the city and surrounding communities, killing more than 300 Christians and Muslims. Muslims say that rioting started after the Christians attacked a Muslim man trying to rebuild his home.

Sectarian violence in this region of Nigeria has left thousands dead over the past decade. The latest outbreak came despite the Nigerian government’s efforts to quell religious extremism in the West African country.