LAGOS, Nigeria - Nigeria tried on Thursday to stem the spread of Christian-Muslim bloodshed which worsened after the U.S. terror attacks and is said to have killed over 500 people within a week.
Fresh religious fighting in the central city of Jos intensified on Wednesday, and reprisal attacks reported in other areas raised fears that violence may spread among Nigeria's multi-ethnic population of over 110 million.
President Olusegun Obasanjo dispatched high-level missions to appeal for calm in Jos and other areas of Africa's most populous country affected or seen as likely trouble spots.
"It is of great concern to the government...Government has the capacity to deal decisively with those involved," Transport Minister Ojo Maduekwe said as he announced the dispatch of the missions after Wednesday's cabinet meeting.
Delegations will be sent to Kano in the mainly Muslim north, where three Christian churches were burnt this week, and to Bauchi, northeast of Jos, where travellers reported a growing exodus of non-Muslims after months of low-level clashes between Christians and the Muslim majority in the area.
Community leaders in the southeastern city of Uyo said two Muslims were killed on Tuesday in reprisal attacks.
Jos residents said Wednesday's fighting was fuelled after a group of Muslims took to the streets of the city, some celebrating the previous day's U.S. terror attacks.
Police and residents said fighting subsided overnight after troops sealed off some areas, but the city remained tense.
"There was an outbreak yesterday, but we have the thing under control," a policeman told Reuters by phone from Jos.
One resident said more troops had arrived late on Wednesday to help control the violence.
CHRONIC RELIGIOUS VIOLENCE
The indigenous peoples of Jos, capital of Plateau State, are mainly Christian or animist. While the influence of the Muslim Hausa-Fulani, one of Nigeria's main tribes has been a source of resentment by locals, both had coexisted peacefully.
Violence has increased across Nigeria in general since 15 years of military dictatorship ended in 1999.
Hundreds died in the northern city of Kaduna in early 2000 in clashes over plans to introduce strict Islamic sharia law.
Red Cross officials said they treated people for machete and gunshot wounds and houses had been set on fire in Jos.
Some people left Jos, joining tens of thousands fleeing since the clashes began after last Friday's Muslim prayers.
The semi-official Daily Times reported on Wednesday that at least 500 bodies had been interred on Monday at a mass burial. Local government officials could not be reached for comment.
Residents said the true toll may be higher. The government has routinely played down casualty figures in previous communal or religious violence, a chronic problem in Nigeria.
Red Cross officials said at least 165 people had been killed and 928 injured by Tuesday, but said it would release no more casualty figures for fear of fuelling hostilities.
06:57 09-13-01
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