Communal rage in Nigeria resumes

Fire raged and gunshots rang out in the Nigerian city of Jos as fresh Christian-Muslim clashes erupted after weekend violence that killed at least 26 people, officials and residents said.

State authorities placed the city under curfew as residents said they heard gunshots and had seen smoke billowing from parts of the city, the capital of Plateau State in central Nigeria.

An employee at Jos central mosque, where he said bodies were being taken, said 156 people were killed in late Monday night fighting and 800 wounded, but the number could not be confirmed with state authorities.

"The mosque is full with the injured and the dead. This morning we received 156 bodies with about 800 injured," said Mohammed Shittu at the Jos's mosque.

"The government has placed a 24-hour curfew on Jos and nearby Bukuru following the resumption of violence in parts of the city," said the state's information commissioner Gregory Yenlong, adding: "All residents were directed to stay indoors as security agents worked towards restoring peace."

All flights to the city were suspended yesterday, said airport and airline sources.

A unit of Nigerian army was also called to assist police forces in imposing the curfew.

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