Hundreds of people were killed and an estimated 7,000 – 10,000 fled their homes in two days of rioting last week between mainly Muslim Hausa people and mainly Christian Berom people in Jos, the capital of Plateau State, Nigeria.   Senior Christian leaders in the state believe that the riots were coordinated and planned, and that the political events were used as a pretext for anti-Christian violence.

The rioting began at 2.00 a.m. on Friday, 28th November, following local elections on Thursday 27th.  A police spokesman said that the clashes were triggered by a rumour that the All Nigerian People’s Party (ANPP) had lost the election to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).  In the midst of the violence, the election results were announced, confirming that the PDP had won all 17 local government areas, including the Jos North local government area where the violence was centred.  In Jos the ANPP is considered to be a predominantly Muslim party, whereas the PDP is perceived to be mainly Christian. 

A curfew was enforced and troops deployed with orders to shoot curfew-breakers on sight.  By Sunday calm had been restored.  Most estimates of the death toll suggest that 200 to 400 people were killed.  Both churches and mosques have been burnt. 

Coordinated and planned

The Archbishop of Jos, Rt Rev. Ben Kwashi, issued an urgent plea for prayer on the first day of violence.  “Please pray for us in Jos, we are being attacked by Muslims.” Mentioning the link with the local elections, he added, “Why Christians must pay for this I do not know.”   On Saturday, he reported, “The Muslims are attacking and burning this morning.  It looks well coordinated.  They are well armed with AK47 and pump machine guns.  This morning they have been at Dogonduste.  Quite a number of Christian homes have been burnt.  We do not know how many have been killed.”

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has denied allegations that its group started the attack, and appealed to all the people of the state to be calm.  Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama, the chairman of CAN in Plateau State, commented, “We were taken aback by the turn of events in Jos.  We thought it was political, but from all indications it is not so.   We were surprised at the way some of our churches and property were attacked and some of our faithful and clergy killed.  The attacks were carefully planned and executed.  The questions that bog our minds are why were churches and clergy attacked and killed?  Why were politicians and political party offices not attacked if it were a political conflict?  Why were the business premises and property of innocent civilians destroyed?  We strongly feel that it was not political but pre-meditated act under the guise of elections.”