String of Bombings Rock Central Nigeria - Impunity Watch

By Daniel M. Austin
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

Bombing in Jos, Nigeria on December 24. (Photo Courtesy of Reuters).

JOS, Nigeria – On Friday, December 24, extremists detonated a number of bombs in the Nigerian city of Jos, killing dozens. Nigerian officials believe at least 38 people were killed in the attacks and more than 78 were wounded. In response to this act of terrorism, the Nigerian government stepped up patrols and instituted a curfew in Jos, and barred people from carrying guns in the city. Yet despite these restrictions, there are reports of more violent outbursts in Jos on Sunday, December 26, as angry citizen’s reacted to Friday’s bombings.

The attack on December 24 consisted of a series of four bombings; two bombings occurred at a large market as people were doing last minute Christmas shopping. A third bomb was detonated in a predominately Christian part of the city, and a fourth bomb was detonated on a road leading to a mosque. The central government blames the violence on sectarian fighting between Christians and Muslims.

Furthermore, on December 26, several buildings in the city of Jos were set on fire and there were armed clashes between Christians and Muslims. News agencies claim at least one person was killed in the fighting. The Nigerian government has stepped in to prevent any further bloodshed.

Nigeria is a country where roughly have the population is Christian, while the other half is Muslim. The Christian residents dominate the southern half of Nigeria while the Muslim population is concentrated in the northern half of the country. Jos is the capital city in the state of Plateau. Plateau is located in a region called the Middle Belt, which separates the northern and southern regions.

Friday’s attack on Jos was not the first time the city has been embroiled in sectarian conflict. There were similar bombings in 2001, and in 2008 when religious tensions boiled over. Additionally, in March of this year over 490 people were killed when Muslim herders attacked a Christian village in the state of Plateau. Although the most obvious tension between these two factions are religious differences, other factors such as economic and political control, poverty, and lack of access to land and other resources also contribute to the unrest. Nigerian government officials believe the most recent attack was intended to produce more sectarian violence.

For more information, please see:

AFP — Clashes in Nigerian city after deadly Christmas bombings – 26 December 2010

BBC — Nigeria: Jos sees renewed clashes after bombings – 26 December 2010

Bloomberg — Nigeria Imposes Curfew on City After 32 Die in Christmas Eve Explosions – 26 December 2010

Reuters — Christmas Eve attacks kill at least 38 in Nigeria – 26 December 2010

VOA News — New Clashes in Central Nigeria After Deadly Friday Bombings – 26 December 2010

Author: Impunity Watch Archive

1 Comment on This Post

Atomic, Bomb, Explosions, Hydrogen, atomic energy commission, atomic explosions, atomic radiation, bomb explosions, civilian observers, hydrogen bomb, nevada proving grounds, nuclear weapons effects | 13 years ago
[…] 0800060 – Exercise Desert Rock – 1951 In 1951, the Army, working with the Atomic Energy Commission, carried out the Desert Rock Exercises, an experiment to “dispel much of the fear and uncertainty surrounding atomic radiation and the effects of gamma and x-rays.” A tent encampment was set up about 27 miles from where the atomic explosions were detonated on the Nevada Proving Grounds. The encampment housed about 5000 Army soldiers, civilian observers and technicians. Troops spent hours in classes receiving training in radiation and nuclear weapons effects. The following is a recorded interview between a sergeant and a training officer prior to a blast: Question. “How many of your men would volunteer to go up and be in the foxholes?” (one-half mile from ground zero) Answer. “I guess about half a dozen.” Question. “Its quite a loud noise when that bomb goes off. . .would it do them any harm?” Answer. “No sir, not the noise, no.” Question. “How about the radiation? Do you think there is much danger?” Answer. “Radiation is the least of their worries that the men are thinking about.” Question. “I think most thought radiation was the greatest danger, didnt they? Where did they learn differently?” Answer. “They were, prior to our instructions here. We received a very thorough briefing.” For the Desert Rock I Exercise, the weapon was fired as an airburst. The majority of the troops were out in the open about seven miles away. The soldiers were told to crouch down and face away … On the same topic: https://impunitywatch.com/?p=15645 […]

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