Clashes between Muslim and Christian gangs died down in the Nigerian city of Jos, where rights activists said the death toll has topped 200, but sporadic gunfire could be heard in neighbouring communities.

Corpses have been brought to the city's most important mosque, which is reporting that at least 800 people have been injured. A night-time curfew has been extended for 24 hours in an attempt to put an end to the violence.

Extra police and soldiers had already been deployed on the streets but sporadic gunfire can still be heard in various parts of the central Nigerian city. Houses have been torched and the fighting has forced thousands of residents of Jos to flee their homes.

 
Tension between Christians and Muslims has led to outbreaks of violence in Jos in the past. The city is on the border between the largely Christian south and the Muslim-dominated north.

This week's violence erupted after an argument between Muslim and Christian neighbours over the rebuilding of homes destroyed in the 2008 clashes. That year clashes killed around 700 people, according to U.S.-based Human Rights Watch, while more than 1,000 Jos residents died in similar fighting in September 2001.

Fake policemen

The city's main hospital, Jos University Teaching Hospital, treated about 50 patients on Tuesday and was forced to turn away others. Two died from their injuries. "Ninety percent of the casualties were from gunshot injuries with a few from knives and bows and arrows," said Dr. Dabit Joseph, who works at Jos University Teaching Hospital.

The Red Cross has 40 staff workers and several volunteers at seven centres in Jos to help thousands of displaced residents, an agency spokesman said.

Residents said most people were staying indoors because of rumours that some gangs were dressed up in fake military and police uniforms.

"Gounsuspecting vernment has received with concern reports of men in fake security uniforms attacking citizens. Measures are being put in place to tackle this issue," Plateau State Governor Jonah Jang said late Tuesday.

source: Reuters

photo: EPA