6 die in renewed religious violence in central Nigerian flashpoint between Christians, Muslims
By APSunday, May 23, 2010
Nigeria: 6 dead in religion-fueled violence in Jos
JOS, Nigeria — Witnesses say at least six people have died in renewed religious violence in central Nigeria between Christians and Muslims.
Witnesses told The Associated Press that three people died Sunday when an angry mob filled with young people started violence in the troubled city of Jos. The identities of the victims were not immediately known.
Authorities say that comes after an attack Saturday that left three Muslims cattle herders dead.
Jos has been the epicenter of religious violence in Nigeria’s “middle belt,” where dozens of ethnic groups vie for control of fertile lands.
Politics, jobs and land often motivate violence that falls along religious lines. More than 500 people have died in the violence there since the beginning of the year.
