Over 200 killed in Nigeria violence: Group

Nigeria, Jan 20: More than 200 people have been killed in a religious violence between Christians and Muslims in central Nigeria, a human rights group said.

The rioting began on Sunday, Jan 17 after Muslim youths set a Catholic church ablaze.

Witnesses said, "Rioters armed with knives, homemade firearms and stones attacked passers-by and fought with security forces, leaving bodies in the street and stacked in local mosques."

Human Rights Watch said on Tuesday, Jan 19, that more than 200 people had been killed in the religious violence.

The group also called on Nigeria's government to investigate and prosecute those responsible for the killings.

According to Mohammed Larema, a local police spokesman, security forces had brought the fighting to a halt on Tuesday, Jan 19 and that the situation was under control.

However, the state government called for additional military units to enter the city.

OneIndia News