Nigerian authorities relaxed a 24-hour curfew in the central city of Jos on Thursday to allow thousands of residents to return to their homes following religious clashes that killed hundreds.

The strong presence of troops and police has helped restore calm in the capital of Plateau state with no reports of major violence for nearly a day.

Four days of clashes between Muslim and Christian gangs this week killed more than 460, wounded nearly 1,000, and forced thousands to flee their homes.
 

Plateau State Governor Jonah Jang relaxed a 24-hour curfew in Jos to operate between 5 p.m. (1600 GMT) and 10 a.m. to allow Nigerians to return to their homes.
"It has been relaxed because there is some difficulty with displaced people wanting to go back to their homes and access basic needs of life," said state government spokesman Gregory Yenlong.

The Red Cross estimated about 17,000 people have been displaced and taking shelter in colleges, hospitals and schools since clashes began on Sunday.

(Reuters)