JOS, Nigeria (Reuters) - Attackers armed with machetes killed at least 18 people in two separate attacks in villages in central Nigeria on Tuesday, the latest in a series of ethnic and religious clashes in the troubled region.

Thirteen of the victims, including women and children, were killed in an attack on the largely Christian village of Wareng in Plateau state in the early hours of the morning, police commissioner Abdulrahman Akano said.

"I can authoritatively confirm that 13 people have been killed in that night attack," he told reporters.

A further five people were killed in what appeared to have been a reprisal attack in the village of Barkin Ladi, he said.

The violence underscores security concerns in Africa's most populous nation as it prepares for presidential, parliamentary and state governorship elections in April.

Plateau state, of which Jos is the capital, lies in the "Middle Belt" where the mostly Muslim north meets the largely Christian south. The region is seen as a potential flashpoint ahead of the polls.

President Goodluck Jonathan, a southerner, faces a tough election battle with his main contender, ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar, a northerner, and some analysts fear the national debate could become polarised around north-south rivalries.

Jonathan's candidacy is controversial because of an agreement in the ruling party that power should rotate between the north and the south every two terms, a rhythm which his victory would interrupt.

http://af.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idAFTRE70A4DL20110111

Lawd Hammercy!

God help us in this country. Pls does someone have any idea how much a self contain apartment goes for in Ghana. I don't think i'll will here when the election kicks off.

Afam I don't think running will solve the problem, I think it's time we face those animals and let them know times have changed, enough of turning the other cheek.

OgidiBoy:

Afam I don't think running will solve the problem, I think it's time we face those animals and let them know times have changed, enough of turning the other cheek.

Well said!!!

Funny enough, I have not heard a word from Gen. Yakubu Gowon. Strange  

Whatz really wrong with these people?

If oil is what keeps the North in Nigeria, share the oil with them (they're already taking a larger share while in Nigeria) and let them secede.
It is a prudent thing to do.

Obiagu1:

If oil is what keeps the North in Nigeria, share the oil with them (they're already taking a larger share while in Nigeria) and let them secede.
It is a prudent thing to do.

No.They can't always have their cake and eat it.

Obiagu1:

If oil is what keeps the North in Nigeria, share the oil with them (they're already taking a larger share while in Nigeria) and let them secede.
It is a prudent thing to do.

That will go down in history as the most stupid action taken by any group. I don't want to belong to that group. Why will you share something that doesn't belong to them.

Obiagu1:

If oil is what keeps the North in Nigeria, share the oil with them (they're already taking a larger share while in Nigeria) and let them secede.
It is a prudent thing to do.

NO NO NO!!!
Why should that happen? What oil are you talking about? Oil is formed from dead orgainic stuff under high pressure for millions of years. It might have been our dead people (our ancestor), our blood so why should we share I bet they have oil but they refuse exploration! Why? why is it that all the countries have found oil in lake chad but the north has not? SO, NO WE ARE NOT SHARING ANYTHING!!!

There is no way these hausa people cant come into a berom village and kill unless they are backed by the army.Its just not possible.

Obiagu1:

If oil is what keeps the North in Nigeria, share the oil with them (they're already taking a larger share while in Nigeria) and let them secede.
It is a prudent thing to do.

I did not even know that your brothers have already told you off! It would not happen!

Just what I'm thinking, let them have the oil and leave us in peace. This whole battle in jos is between the Berom the indigens of jos and Hausa

Fulani, but guess who's shops and property are being burned (Igbo) They beroms are mostly farmers.

afam4eva:

That will go down in history as the most silly action taken by any group. I don't want to belong to that group. Why will you share something that doesn't belong to them.

jason123:

NO NO NO!!!
Why should that happen? What oil are you talking about? Oil is formed from dead orgainic stuff under high pressure for millions of years. It might have been our dead people (our ancestor), our blood so why should we share I bet they have oil but they refuse exploration! Why? why is it that all the countries have found oil in lake chad but the north has not? SO, NO WE ARE NOT SHARING ANYTHING!!!

If you can't go to war to liberate yourself, then you should remain with them and never complain about them. Their way of life is their way of life and should not bother you or anyone and you should respect that.

If you want to change that, you do something about it. So the question is: what can you do?

Note: you scream why will you share something that doesn't belong to them, yet they control your oil fields, don't they?

OgidiBoy:


Just what I'm thinking, let them have the oil and leave us in peace. This whole battle in jos is between the Berom the indigens of jos and Hausa

Fulani, but guess who's shops and property are being burned (Igbo) They beroms are mostly farmers.

NO SE!!! Why would you do that? My GOD, pls give strenght to our brothers and make them not sell their birth rights!!!AMEN!

One question that keeps coming to my mind is: Is it possible to break away from the Northerners without a war breaking out.

Holy white mary. . .let those almajiris secede and get d hell outta here

Obiagu1:

If you can't go to war to liberate yourself, then you should remain with them and never complain about them. Their way of life is their way of life and should not bother you or anyone.

If you want to change that, you do something about it. So the question is: what can you do?

Note: you scream why will you share something that doesn't belong to them, yet they control your oil fields, don't they?

WHAT!!!

The same oil fields bought from our ( same oil oo!) oil revenues that was meant to develop the country? NA WA OO!!!

Ola edo:

There is no way these hausa people cant come into a berom village and kill unless they are backed by the army.Its just not possible.

What makes you feel it's not possible. All the late night ambush in the past is an example. The truth is that not everyone given a knife can slaughter a fellow human which they find easy.

OgidiBoy:


Just what I'm thinking, let them have the oil and leave us in peace. This whole battle in jos is between the Berom the indigens of jos and Hausa

Fulani, but guess who's shops and property are being burned (Igbo) They beroms are mostly farmers.

You sound like a bytch.I'm sorry to say.Never go to jail, you'd definitely leave jail as a Peewee Herman. Give what oil? like their land is anywhere near the oil feeds.Sorry if they need oil, let them buy it after we split. What is going on in jos is fulani expansion and the military is a part of the plan.

Ola edo:

You sound like a bytch.I'm sorry to say.Never go to jail, you'd definitely leave jail as a Peewee Herman. Give what oil? like their land is anywhere near the oil feeds.Sorry if they need oil, let them buy it after we split. What is going on in jos is fulani expansion and the military is a part of the plan.

typical ezeuche

Ola edo:

You sound like a bytch.I'm sorry to say.Never go to jail, you'd definitely leave jail as a Peewee Herman. Give what oil? like their land is anywhere near the oil feeds.Sorry if they need oil, let them buy it after we split. What is going on in jos is fulani expansion and the military is a part of the plan.

GBAM!!!

Ola edo:

You sound like a bytch.I'm sorry to say.Never go to jail, you'd definitely leave jail as a Peewee Herman. Give what oil? like their land is anywhere near the oil feeds.Sorry if they need oil, let them buy it after we split. What is going on in jos is fulani expansion and the military is a part of the plan.

You guys sound funny, how do you split from them? Now tell us how you plan to do that.

Obiagu1:

You guys sound funny, how do you split from them? Now tell us how you plan to do that.

but jason and ezeuche i want to hear oooo

Obiagu1:

You guys sound funny, how do you split from them? Now tell us how you plan to do that.

A combination of the militant grroups from the various ethnic groups would stop them! Even the jft could not stop MEND talkless of a combination group!!!haba!!!

Obiagu1:

You guys sound funny, how do you split from them? Now tell us how you plan to do that.

We plan to up root your village and give it to them as an oil field.That should do the trick.

@ op what is jonathan doing about it;

is it because it does not affect the ijaws or ND that is why he is over looking it

jason123:

A combination of the militant grroups from the various ethnic groups would stop them! Even the jft could not stop MEND talkless of a combination group!!!haba!!!

Just to add,

with a bit of organisation and planning, it would work

jason123:

A combination of the militant grroups from the various ethnic groups would stop them! Even the jft could not stop MEND talkless of a combination group!!!haba!!!

sounds childish

also is it igbos that will trust yorubas with there life's ,,,,,,i guess not

jason123:

Just to add,

with a bit of organisation and planning, it would work

hisses

.