20100717
africanews

About eight people are reported to have been killed near Jos in northern Nigeria. Unknown attackers descended on a village on the outskirts of Jos, burning about 10 houses, early on Saturday, according to the media. Reports say the dead include the family of a priest.

Witnesses are quoted as saying the men attacked the family of Rev. Nuhu Dawat in the village of Mazah, 12km (7 miles) from the state capital of Jos, killing his wife, two children and a grandson.

According to Reuters, the priest ran for his life, and later said: "I leave everything to God to judge."

Plateau State Police Commissioner Gregory Anyating told Reuters the authorities were trying to find out "the root causes of the violence", but it had not spread to other villages.

It would be recalled that clashes between rival communities - Hausa Muslims and Berom Christians - left hundreds dead this year.

Meanwhile deadly riots in 2001, 2008 and 2010 left hundreds of people dead.

Although the clashes take place between Muslims and Christians, observers say the underlying causes are economic and political.