Over 500 people died in five days of street fighting between Muslims and Christians in central Nigeria this week, sources said today, confirming newspaper reports.
"That toll is not an exaggeration. That is how many we think it is," said an official with a relief organisation who asked not to be named.
"Community leaders are putting together lists of people who have been lost but it will take time. We think it is certainly around or over 500," said a leader of a religious community.
The state-run Daily Timesreported yesterday that more than 500 victims of the violence in Jos had been given a mass burial after dark late on Monday. The area was cordoned off to prevent news of the toll emerging and sparking reprisals, the paper said.
Officials yesterday declined to comment to reporters on the toll - the highest yet for the violence.
The Nigerian Red Cross confirmed yesterday a "very large" mass burial had taken place on Monday but did not give a number.
AFP