18 Thousand People fled Nigeria

SARA riots that occurred in Nigeria causes about 18 thousand people fled their homes. They are now living in mosques, churches and emergency tents.

This was conveyed by the International Red Cross as quoted by AFP news agency on Friday (22/1/2010). The number of victims killed during four days of clashes between Muslim and Christian residents had reached at least 160 people.

But according to local leaders of Muslim and Christian, the death toll has reached around 300 people. Paramedics also provide the same number.


"So far, about 18,000 people had left their homes due to the clashes," the ICRC statement.

"During the clashes, and thereafter, the teams Nigerian Red Cross has provided first aid to more than 250 people with gunshot wounds, machete, bruised or cracked and evacuated 150 casualties to the nearest hospital," said Umar Mairiga, director of disaster management Nigerian Red Cross.

SARA riots occurred in the City of Jos, northern Nigeria since Sunday, January 17 last. Gank-gank groups armed with machetes and pistols to spread terror in the city. The violence occurred after the uproar about the planned construction of a mosque in a Christian majority areas in the city of Jos. In Jos own city, the population Muslim and Christian citizens almost equal.

According to local residents, the riots began to subside on Wednesday, January 20 local time after Nigerian soldiers deployed to the city. Also imposed curfew in the city.

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