Fresh Violence Erupts in Nigeria; Estimates put death toll between 350 and 630

(Compass) Fresh religious violence has erupted in Yelwa town in the central state of Plateau, Nigeria, two months after Muslim militants killed a pastor and 48 members of his church there on February 23. The latest Muslim-Christian clash has resulted in the deaths of at least 350 people (Muslims). Some press reports put the death toll as high as 630. According to police reports, 250 women and children are missing. Meanwhile, more than 120 people were killed and thousands more displaced when inter-religious violence erupted in Sarkin Kudu and Dampar villages in the northern state of Taraba in late April. Local sources say an Easter Sunday attack by Muslim militants on Christian villages in the nearby state of Plateau provoked the Taraba violence. “Christians in Plateau state believe that these two villages are operational bases for Muslim militants,” Alhaji Lawal Mohammed, a Muslim and the chairman of the Ibi local government council, told Compass. “And because of this, the religious crisis has now spread into our state.” ICC Note: Please pray for peace for the Muslims and Christians of Nigeria and that Christians would only act in self defense. Christian leaders have distanced themselves from these killings saying they are from rogue criminal elements. There is also the fact that the Christians (or animists) may have struck back after suffering years of abuse. In the last number of years 1500 Christians have been killed and 173 Churches burned down.