Nigerian city tense after riots

Hundreds are feared dead in the Nigerian city of Jos following two days of religious and ethnic clashes. The violence was sparked by rumours that an election has been rigged. The Nigerian government has dispatched soldiers because of the escalating violence. The Nigerian police and military have been ordered to shoot troublemakers on sight. ''The situation this morning is gradually returning to normal," army spokesman Brig Emeka Onwamaegbu told AFP news agency on Sunday." The violence started on Friday when a Christian governing party was declared to have won state elections in Plateau state. The election was accused of being rigged by the All Nigeria People's Party which is mostly Muslim. Groups supporting both parties took to the streets with machetes during causing the riots. Both mosques and churches were burned. In recent years ethnic and religious violence has claimed thousands of lives in Nigeria as political parties fight for control over precious resources. 

This is a big problem for Nigeria because these political parties are promoting ethnic violence so they can get what they want. It is a good thing that the military and the police have been given orders to use lethal force to keep the peace. Without them the riots would not end and more people would be killed. Religious violence does not make any sense because supposedly both religions preach peace. This is the result of greed with people of influence that cause these riots and make neighbors turn against each other. It is a same that innocent people have to die everyday because of these reasons. The government should keep that level of security because that may be the only way to keep the peace because the local people cannot be trusted with peace. One of the opposing groups would allways do something to start another conflict between the ethnicities. People need to be taught to draw a line between religious beleifs and people's freedom. You cannot force someone into your religion if they disagree with your views deal with it, do not kill them. The people in Jos need to understand that violence is not the answer because it has been tried many times to solve conflicts by eleminating the opposition and this option has failed in the past.