JOS, Nigeria — Gunshots and smoke continue to alarm residents of Jos in central Nigeria, with the Christian community fearing further violence from Muslim youths who Jan. 17 attacked a Catholic church and burned down several other church buildings.
A 24-hour curfew imposed Jan. 18 in Jos and the suburb of Bukuru by the Plateau state government was extended.
Police said continuing violence was initially triggered by unprovoked attacks by Muslim youth on worshipers at the St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Nasarawa Gwong, in the Jos North Local Government Area.
Also attacked were buildings of the Christ Apostolic Church, Assemblies of God Church, three branches of the Church of Christ in Nigeria and two buildings of the Evangelical Church of West Africa, Christian leaders said.
The number of casualties continued to grow, reportedly reaching more than 100 as security forces tried to rein in rioters, with both Christian and Muslim groups still counting their losses. Hundreds have reportedly been wounded.
“We have been witnessing sporadic shootings in the last two days,” said Chuwang Avou, secretary of the state chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria.
“We see some residents shooting sporadically into the air. We have also seen individuals with machine guns on parade in the state.”
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