Ramadan violence erupts in Nigeria

Ongoing violence in Nigeria has claimed the lives of at least nine people in Nigeria. Clashes between Christians and Muslims in the divided country are common and the latest round of violence occurred as Muslims were ending their celebration of Ramadan. 

ABUJA, NIGERIA (Catholic Online) - The country of 155 million people is 50 percent Muslim and 40 percent Christian with a remaining 10 percent following tribal belief systems. This divide has led to bloody clashes between Christians and Muslims who want the country to respect their religious beliefs and reflect their perspective on the nature of government. Notably, several Muslims have gained attention called for the imposition of Sharia law penalties, such as stoning for adultery, in Muslim areas. 

The most recent violence took place in the city of Jos, northeast of the capital. Reportedly, a gang of armed Christian youths attacked Muslim worshippers. In addition to the dead, over 100 were reported injured. Dozens of cars were burned. 

Trapping the Muslims with roadblocks, the gang is reported to have used guns, machetes, rocks, and arrows to perpetrate their violence.  As many as 20 children may be among the dead. Hospitals reported filling up with the wounded who mostly suffered wounds from thrown objects.

Allegedly, Christian "gangsters" then told witnesses the attacks were revenge for Muslim bombings that took place on Christmas Eve of 2010. 

This violence is added to the recent string of attacks from Muslim extremists who are rebelling against the Nigerian government from strongholds in the northern part of the country. On Friday, that group detonated a bomb at UN offices in the capital, Abuja. The attack killed 23 people. 
Generally, Nigeria remains peaceful as the different religious groups coexist in separate parts of the country, with Muslims dominating the north and Christians in the south. However, periodic bouts of violence can last for months as each side makes reprisals against the other for previous attacks.

Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has condemned both acts of violence as his government struggles to maintain peace in the sometimes bitterly divided country.

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