Central Nigeria on red alert after 500 killed

[cory777]

Source: AFP

At least 500 people were killed Sunday in communal clashes near Nigeria's central city of Jos, a state governor's advisor told AFP Monday, revising a previous toll of around 100 dead.

"We have been able to make 95 arrests but at the same time over 500 people have been killed in this heinous act... by Fulani herdsmen," Dan Manjang said in a telephone interview.

Earlier the country's acting president put security forces on alert after machete wielding gangs carried out the massacre close to the city, officials said.

Witnesses described how victims were caught in animal traps and fishing nets as they tried to flee their attackers, who hacked them to death in what appeared to have been a well-organised attack.

Read more: http://uk.news.yahoo.com/18/20100308/twl-central-nigeria-on-red-alert-after-5-696b303.html

[comtec]

1. Isn't this why we have a UN?

I mean, seriously!
If it's only rich and (mostly) white countries that it's going to defend, then at least it should drop the pretense about giving a fuck about africa (except the parts with GOLD and DIAMONDS in it!)

[theHandpuppet]

3. Amen to that!

:thumbsup:

[Rebubula]

4. Couple of points...

1st - Nigeria is the richest country in Africa from Oil sales - if $$ is the reason for action we would already be there
2nd - this is not a case of a dominant group oppressing and killing another...this is two moronic groups killing each other

Now...the UN is mostly an impotent body that likes to preen and make lofty declarations, but at the end of the day - they do little good and their 'troops' have much to damage Africa through sexual abuses and financial theft.

[comtec]

6. Sadly I totally agree with this and the below response =[

aside from doing more harm than good, it is technically a internal issue... but god damn! =[

[On the Road]

5. Unfortunately, It's Not Why We Have a UN

It was created to deal with problems among countries, not internal conflicts.

[SkyDaddy7]

2. Humans can be awful creatures!

[onehandle]

7. These were Christians killed by Muslims.

Funny how this article glossed over that.

[Flaneur]

8. These were ethnic Berom killed by ethnic Fulani.

You can try to make it part of global jihad if you wish, but it looks more like good, old-fashioned ethnic conflict.

[Alamuti Lotus]

9. ...in response to fairly similar Berom attacks last...month?--if I remember correctly

But yes, expect the Christian angle to be the only shade of red flag that the bulls will see; Pat Robertson and the Nazi Pope have already offered their croc tears.

[Igel]

10. You'd have to know what the Fulani were saying, to be honest.

Probably revenge, but that easily has religious, tribal, and territorial overtones.

Might be jihad. It's why there are Fulani in the area--a jihad in the early 1800s (although most of the ones involved in this are mostly Hausa). Then again, a lot of that was simple imperialism. Gold, glory, and God, dontcha know.