Violence In Central Nigeria Kills Nine, Tensions High

Sporadic violence in Nigeria's central Plateau state has killed at least nine people this week, police and residents said, as tensions remained high weeks after hundreds died in sectarian clashes.

Seven bodies were found on Tuesday in shallow graves in the Riyom area, around 30 km (20 miles) south of Jos. Residents say they were killed after stopping at a road block set up by a local gang.

In a separate incident, security forces killed two Nigerians suspected of planning an attack in a village near Plateau state's capital Jos, which lies at the crossroads of the country's Muslim north and Christian south.

"The roads to Jos are not safe," said Muhammad Tanko Shittu, a senior mosque official in Jos. "We are telling our youths not to hold any protests over these attacks because it may lead to further killing."

Security forces have been on high alert for any violence in the state, fearing a repeat of clashes between Muslim and Christian mobs that led to hundreds of deaths in January and March.

Fierce competition for control of fertile farmlands between Christian and animist indigenous groups and Muslim settlers from the north have repeatedly sparked violence in central Nigeria's "Middle Belt" over the past decade.

Security forces say they have the situation under control, maintaining a night curfew in Jos.

"Things are very calm now. There are no problems. People can come to visit now with no problem," said Gregory Anyating, spokesman for the state police.

Residents agree that violence has subsided in Jos, but believe it is still dangerous in remote villages that are more difficult to police.

"I won't say that things are back to normal. They aren't normal," said Henry Garba, a property developer in Jos. "There have been a lot of attacks between the (Muslim) Hausas and Christian Beroms."

Police have arrested more than 160 people over their roles in this year's sectarian clashes, but few have been prosecuted.

Politicians, diplomats and rights groups have urged the authorities to punish the community leaders and gangs responsible for the fighting to prevent future conflicts.