Nigeria stunned by brutal sectarian murders

(GIN)—A wave of ‘revenge killings’ south of the city of Jos, reportedly targeted defenseless Christian women and children, according to eyewitnesses at the scene. The area lies between the country’s mainly Christian south and Muslim north and was the scene of an earlier outbreak in January in which 200 primarily Muslim herders died.

Saidu Dogo, head of the northern area of Nigeria’s Christian Association accused the army of ignoring warnings of attacks and said he believed mercenaries from neighboring Chad and Niger were also involved.

“The Nigerian government should ensure that the perpetrators of acts of violence are brought to justice under the rule of law, and that human rights are respected as order is restored,” Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said.

But,Dogo begged the international community to become more involved as, he said, the government was unable to protect its own people.

This is part of the March 17, 2010 online edition of Frost Illustrated.

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