How the Nigeria crisis escalated

A curfew was imposed which helped. Monday was relatively calm, but trouble flared up again on Tuesday. On Wednesday, when the soldiers were not out in force, many youths on both sides broke the curfew, and fighting spread to the villages around. One faith group attacked the other, then their friends joined in and attacked in retaliation. The 'Christian', ie non-Muslim youth, said "enough is enough" so the situation quickly escalated. This is regrettable and sad.

Leaders from both sides of the community met together and set up road blocks manned by both faith groups.

What is now upsetting is the one-sided reporting by BBC, CNN and Al'jazira. Church leaders plead for fair reporting. The report about many Muslim bodies being thrown into wells sadly was true, but it caused great offence as the reporting of the action omitted to state that it was only in revenge for what Muslims had already done, which was not reported.

Another cause of concern is that the Police Commissioner for Plateau, who gave a factual report about how Muslims attacked a church on Sunday without provocation, has been transferred to another State and command of the Police has been taken over by the Army Commandant, a Muslim. Numerous panels of enquiry were set up following previous troubles, but no recommendations implemented. This is why Christians and others are saying enough is enough.

Another comment received: 'The situation is gradually getting quieter and tension has started to reduce, but we fear that people are storing up hurt and hatred for later expression.'

According to Red Cross officials there are about 25,000 displaced people now in 15 camps within Jos. The casualty figures are reported to be between 300 - 500 people killed and over a thousand injured.