20100405
ALLAFRICA

A minor clash between Christians and Muslims leaves one person dead and another injured in Nigeria's central city of Jos.

The security forces that were rushed in to control the fighting from escalating said they have brought the situation under control and restored order.

Clashes erupted at around 7:00 pm (1800 GMT) as Christians were returning from a church rally. A group of unidentified youths blocked their way along the road, prompting a clash, police spokesman Mohammed Lerama said, confirming the incident.

The attack occurred in the Nassarawa Gwom area, the epicenter of the January clashes, he said. Hundreds of people have died in sectarian violence in Jos and its vicinity since that time, the spokesman added.

In January, over 300 people — mostly Muslims — were killed in clashes in and around Jos. The police announced last month that over 100 people — mainly Christians — were killed by Muslim Fulani cattle herders.